Nadhim Zahawi hounded off university campus after being branded 'notorious transphobe'

Nadhim Zahawi hounded off university campus after being branded 'notorious transphobe'
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Anna Fox

By Anna Fox


Published: 31/05/2022

- 09:56

Updated: 14/02/2023

- 11:12

The Education Secretary was ushered away by guards at Warwick University after he was mobbed by student protestors

Transgender activists mobbed Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi accusing him of "inciting hatred" during a visit to the University of Warwick on Friday.

The cabinet minister was escorted away by university security in chaotic scenes, as he was followed by student activists wielding transgender flags and placards.


Activists chanted "Zahawi is a transphobe" and "Tory scum" after the cabinet minister defined women as "adult human females" addressing the Labour Party's speculation over whether a woman can have a penis.

Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi arriving in Downing Street, London, for a Cabinet meeting. Picture date: Tuesday May 24, 2022.
Cabinet minister Mr Zahawi faced backlash after calling women "adult human females".
Stefan Rousseau

Protestors faced a blockade by security as they tried to pursue Mr Zahawi out of the campus building to his car, The Telegraph reported.

Mr Zahawi had been partaking in an event organised by the University of Warwicks Conservative Association on Friday.

It has been reported that he discussed "the future of our education system" in addition to incorporating more young people into the party.

Prior to the event, Warwick Pride, the university's LGBTQUIA+ association, published an open letter, acknowledging how some of the society's members planned to attend the event with "trans flags and the intention to ask Zahawi questions concerning the rights of trans people in the UK".

Mr Zahawi attended an event run by the University of Warwick Conservative Association.
Mr Zahawi attended an event run by the University of Warwick Conservative Association.
Instagram - University of Warwick Conservative Association.

Protestors brandished the transgender flag whilst shouting %22tory scum%22 at Mr Zahawi
Protestors brandished the transgender flag whilst shouting "tory scum" at Mr Zahawi
University of Warwick Conservative Association

The statement continued, adding: "Given that transphobia is omnipresent in society, it is imperative for the mental well-being of trans students that the university make itself clear that it is indeed supportive of transgender individuals, and that reactionary harmful transphobic rhetoric will not go unopposed,' it said in a statement. Trans rights are simply not up for debate, they are non-negotiable".

The society condemned the talk claiming it "clearly violates SU by-laws on Equality and Diversity".

"We cannot fault the SU for its inaction regarding our complaint about this event", they added.

"Nadhim Zahawi being a government minister clearly puts them in a complex position if they were to cancel the external speaker event. However the notion that Zahawi does not incite hatred is ludicrous at best".

Prior to the mobbing of Mr Zahawi, the society announced it does not condone or promote any violent behaviour.

Warwick University’s Conservative Association said it: “supports the right to freedom of speech and expression for everyone regardless of political affiliation”.

It added: “It is a shame that, on this occasion, the intention of many protesters was not to express their own views but to prevent the Secretary of State from expressing his".

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