Abertay student cleared of wrongdoing following comments on women's bodies

The university insists the investigation was to do with a complex complaint about her behavior - and not gender identity.

Abertay University
Author: Chloe ShawPublished 9th Jun 2021

An Abertay University student who claimed she was suspended over freedom of speech comments about women's bodies has been cleared of wrongdoing.

Lisa Keogh met with a disciplinary board on Monday.

The uni insists the investigation was to do with a complex complaint about her behavior - and not gender identity, following claims she was disciplined for saying "women have vaginas".

A spokesperson for Abertay University said: “Under normal circumstances the University does not comment on student disciplinary cases, however as the student involved in this case has chosen to comment publicly we feel it is necessary for us to do so on this occasion.

“As we have previously stated, the University is legally obliged to investigate all complaints. This does not mean every element of a complaint about a student becomes the subject of a disciplinary case.

“Contrary to misleading statements by some commentators who view this as a case about gender identity, Lisa Keogh was not subject to disciplinary action for expressing so-called ‘unacceptable opinions’ about gender identity, or any other topic.

“Ms Keogh met with a student disciplinary board on Monday to consider a single element of an initially complex complaint, which fell within the scope of the Code of Student Discipline. This concerned a complaint about the behaviour of Ms Keogh in class.

“The disciplinary panel did not uphold the complaint against Ms Keogh.

“As previously stated, our Code of Student Discipline does not constrain lawful free speech, but does cover student behaviour.

“The University is committed to upholding freedom of speech on campus and we will continue to actively encourage open and challenging debate at Abertay.”

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