KCLSU president appeals dismissal, but this could be the end of the road.

KCL student union President Chris Mullan looks likely to be hounded from office, after a three-man disciplinary panel told him he was dismissed from the post, and opponents brought a motion of no confidence to the union’s Student Council.

Mullan was suspended in September after a row over comments he made during an NUS training event roleplay, questioning whether widening participation at a fictional university might also lead to an increase in knife crime.

Critics say that he was referring to the ethnic make-up of the fictional area, and that his comments were racist.

Mullan denied any racist intent, and was cleared by an NUS investigation. The investigation did suggest he undertake further diversity training.

But the row surrounding his comments has continued, with KCLSU trustees announcing an internal investigation to look at Mullan’s status both as a trustee of the organisation and as an employee.

Dismissed
The employment investigation, led by the union Chief Executive Steve Vaid, King’s College academic registrar Brian Salter and a trustee, concluded that Mullan should be dismissed, although he is appealing that decision.

Concerns have been raised over whether the disciplinary panel can sack the President. According to KCLSU governing documents, a trustee can only be removed by “a resolution of the members passed by a two thirds majority at a general meeting” or “a two-thirds majority of the Elected Trustees.”

Students have also complained about a lack of transparency in the process. Student Council member Marieke Mueller told London Student: “There is a general consensus that Student Council ought to be informed, because we know nothing.”

KCLSU have refused to comment other than to post statements on their website saying what stage the investigation is at.

Up in arms

It may no longer matter whether Mullan’s dismissal is or isn’t allowed under KCLSU rules, as student pressure builds to get the controversial President out.

King’s ACS society president Tejumola Olaoye, supported by council member John Cooper, brought a motion to Student Council noting that “Chris Mullan needs to be held to account by students, not simply by KCLSU management and Trustees.”

It called for condemnation of “the actions of Chris Mullan” and an affirmation that “Chris Mullan be removed from his position as President of KCLSU and Trustee of KCLSU, in the interests of students.”

The motion was not passed at Student Council on October 30^th.

Council member Marieke Mueller told London Student: “We didn’t get through all the points we needed to discuss. Some people were absolutely willing to vote, but it’s been postponed until next week.

“I think it’s already significant that a certain number of people were willing to put a motion in and vote against him.”

Spreading concerns

The row has spread beyond King’s, with motions at SOAS UGM calling for NUS President Wes Streeting to resign over his handling of the issue.

When Streeting went to SOAS to talk about Higher Education funding, he was ambushed by a group of protestors demanding that he explain why NUS cleared Mullan.

But how far protestors understand what sparked the crisis remains unclear. Some SOAS students seemed to believe Mullan had held up a sign saying ‘Bring Back Slavery’. The poster was in fact held up by Nottingham President Craig Cox, who, although condemned by the NUS, survived a motion of no confidence within his own union.

And those campaigning to get Mullan out have been criticised for changing their stories.

At a meeting in front of King’s students, Birmingham President Jennifer Larbie said that Mullan had asked: “With reference to widening the participation of black students. Do you think this a good idea? Don’t you think we should introduce metal detectors because of gun and knife crime. This is socially undesirable.”

But in her original complaint, she quoted Mullan as saying: “Vice Chancellor, you are aware of the implications in attracting more students from the local community, such as increased knife crime. Is this really desirable?”

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