UKIP member, 19, suspended from university over 'offensive' and 'inappropriate' comments

A 19-year-old UKIP member has been suspended from university after he made a “series of offensive and inappropriate comments” during lectures and seminars.

Sebastian Walsh, a student at the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan), said he has been suspended after making comments about the “Islamisation” of Britain and halal meat.

In a letter to Mr Walsh, partly published on Kipper Central, the university said: “Specifically, the allegations […] are that you have made statements within the classroom to the effect of saying: 'that the country is Islamified'; 'that people who do not speak English should not be ‘paid for’ because this is our country'; and 'that the practice of halal food is disgusting and barbaric'; and that you would have to kill yourself if you ever ate halal meat.”

Mr Walsh, who is studying a children, school and families course, told the Daily Mail he had said to fellow students: “I would never touch Subway or KFC because they use halal meat in their products. I don't agree with barbaric slaughter on any sort of animals for a religion.

“We went on to start discussing the Islamisation of our country. And I think Halal meat is contributing to this."

He added: “Then, in another lesson, we were asked about our views on the privatisation of the NHS. I said it should be privatised to the point where if you're not a legal UK citizen you should not be entitled to free healthcare.

“And that's all I said. A week later I got an email stating that the university had received a report from my tutors which said my conduct was unacceptable.”

He was told by the university he was suspended until September 2019 because he had made controversial comments that “breached a number of the University’s conduct regulations, including those relating to harassment and bringing the University into disrepute”.

He was told he could return after signing a “future good conduct and behaviour agreement” and taking diversity training.

Mr Walsh told Kipper Central he would not be signing any agreements that “restricted his freedom of speech”.

In a statement, a UCLan spokesman said: “In this case, a number of official complaints were made by students regarding a series of offensive and inappropriate comments made by Sebastian Walsh during lectures and seminars.

“We cannot divulge the actual comments made by Sebastian as they formed part of a confidential investigation. However, they clearly breached a number of the University’s conduct regulations, including those relating to harassment and bringing the University into disrepute.

“In line with our official procedures, an investigation ensued, and a disciplinary hearing took place. The student has been temporarily suspended for the remainder of the academic year and is aware that on the successful completion of a diversity training course, he will be able to resume his studies.”