University debating society cancelled, then uncancelled Catholic reporter over her LGBT views

Caroline Farrow (Photo: ITV)

The debating society at the University of Exeter has reversed its decision to cancel a Catholic reporter because of her views on homosexuality. 

Caroline Farrow was invited to debate sex worker Charlotte Rose via Zoom last Friday on the motion 'sex work is real work'. 

On Thursday, Ms Farrow was notified by email that she was no longer invited to participate in the event. 

The society's chair, Robert Jones, said her appearance went against the group's commitment to inclusivity. 

"A number of articles have been brought to our attention concerning your widely cited anti-LGBT activism. This is in direct contradiction to the inclusive culture we wish to promote," he wrote. 

Ms Farrow and the Free Speech Union complained to university officials that its event management policy protects freedom of speech. 

After lodging the complaint, the mother-of-five was informed by Exeter's Students' Guild that the cancellation of her invitation to speak was a "mistake".

The debate went ahead as planned but with a disclaimer posted to the society's Facebook page warning of possible offence over Ms Farrow's participation. 

Speaking to the Mail on Sunday, Ms Farrow denied being anti-LGBT.

 "It was all rather farcical, really, if there hadn't been serious issues of free speech at stake," she said.

News
Churches urged to be ready amid reports of growing Bible curiosity among young adults
Churches urged to be ready amid reports of growing Bible curiosity among young adults

A sharp rise in Bible sales and reports of growing spiritual curiosity among young adults in the UK has prompted calls for church leaders to be ready to respond. 

Memorial art for Holocaust heroine unveiled
Memorial art for Holocaust heroine unveiled

Haining said she'd be "back by lunch", in fact she was on her way to Auschwitz.

The Christian Churches and the Nazis
The Christian Churches and the Nazis

Why were so many German Christians supportive of the Nazis in their rise to power and why were so few involved in active opposition once the realities of the Third Reich became apparent? 

The problem with Labour’s Islamophobia definition
The problem with Labour’s Islamophobia definition

Whether it's called Islamophobia or "anti-Muslim hostility", the threat is the same.