'Women have vaginas': Abertay student takes legal action against university
Lisa Keogh is taking legal action against Abertay University after being cleared of misconduct over a comment about gender during a debate.
Last updated 25th Oct 2021
Lisa Keogh from Angus is taking legal action against the university after being cleared of misconduct over a comment about gender during a debate.
The 29 year-old, mum of two, was still able to sit her exams and did graduate this year, but claims the ordeal caused undue stress.
Lisa Keogh's legal team confirmed action has been raised against Abertay University for a breach of the Equality Act 2010.
Speaking to Tay News, Lisa told us why she'd made the decision.
"What happened to me, I felt like it was wrong, so I took legal advice and my lawyers are saying that the University were in breach of the Equality Act, for putting me on a disciplinary process for expressing my political beliefs."
It was never ever about misconduct, it was always about what I said.
Mrs Keogh was subject to a two month investigation by Abertay University, after her classmates complained about comments she made about gender during a class debate.
"I didn't want to seem like I was backing down to them. I didn't want to be silenced, and I feel like given what happened, I do deserve compensation for the stress that they put me through."
I know there's a lot of things getting said on social media on what I did and didn't say, and people saying it was about misconduct. It was never ever about misconduct, it was always about what I said and the, main sort of element was 'women have vaginas'."
"For whatever reason some people took offence at that, and I think me saying that put a target on my back so anything I said after that people were looking to take offence."
"It's given me a new perspective, it's given me a sort of platform to now advocate for free speech, and for women and children's rights."
"Free speech should be welcome, as long as you're not being abusive to people,you should never be abusive. But free specch should be welcome, and the only way we can learn and grow as people is to hear conflicting opinions."
Lisa now plans to launch a fundraiser to help fund her legal battle.
Abertay University have confirmed they have received a letter from Ms Keogh’s solicitor.