Hutton Honoured at Graduations by University of Ulster

antrim | crime and justice | news report

Thursday February 05, 2004 19:31

by Very Disappointed

“Former Northern Ireland Lord Chief Justice, Lord Hutton, whose criticism of the BBC in his report into the death of weapons expert Dr David Kelly made headlines around the world last week, is to receive an honorary degree from the University of Ulster at this summer’s graduations” (see link).

In the same week we saw top-up fees deliver another blow to working class education; a section of the community under represented at university levels. Publicly the University of Ulster opposed such fees and implied a knee jerk reaction here should not be taken. Is the University of Ulster trying to play both sides of the fence? A little message saying: we don’t agree with your education policies, but we do like your attitudes about the BBC?

At the very least, in the name of integrity posthumous Honours might have also been given to Dr Kelly himself for his sacrifice in life and death. A man whose name deserves to be remembered with dignity. Granted, while perhaps not directly connected to Northern Ireland, quickly running through the former honorary role would reveal that little connection is actually necessary in this PR exercise.

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Comments (5 of 5)

Support For Hutton

by Observor

Fri Feb 06, 2004 11:14

The UU Students Union debated their position on this as they get a vote on honorary degrees, it may just be a consultative one. Some SP members were in favour of Hutton getting the award! This was because Sinn Fein opposed it. Therefore in the eyes of the SP opposition to the award was sectarian and to keep their loyalist chums happy they supported giving the degree to Hutton!

Perhaps next year?

by W

Sat Feb 07, 2004 01:35

Its very unfair that that brilliant doctor, Dr Harold Shipman has not received any honour, not even a nomination. After all, his actions were in line with those of some of the loyal sons of Ulster.

Honourable company

by Brian D

Sat Feb 07, 2004 18:11

Ah, such honourable company!
But seriously, this thing about giving honours is just an imitiation of the brit royal honour system. And on that basis it is absolutely appropriate that these "honours" should be given to one blood thirsty lackey or another, or someone who facilitates these war criminals to escape justice.
Yes, Shipman would be a suitable candidate for such an "honour", but other potential candidates should include the likes of Frank Kitson (or yes, remember him? - "Low intensity operations" and all that).
How about the Shankill Butchers? Or the creatures who bombed Dublin in 1974? Or even those in the Irish establishment who failed to investigate that bombing?
Where do we stop?
Honourable company indeed.

I see troll people

by sixth sense

Sat Feb 07, 2004 20:59

Methinks the comments by Observer are wrong, becasue as far as I know, the SP do not have any Reps in UU.

UU is not Queens.

Stop the Trolling.

(then again I could be wrong)

Not really

by Wha?

Sat Feb 07, 2004 21:12

The comment you refer to has been there for a day now and none of the other comments have even mentioned the sp, so I dont really see any trolling.

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Hutton Honoured at Graduations by University of Ulster

Comments (5 of 5)