John Cleese urges St Andrews students not to elect Q Manivannan as rector

John Cleese has urged students not to elect Q Manivannan as rector of the University of St Andrews in Scotland.

Manivannan, an Indian national and Scottish Green member of parliament, is one of several candidates in the student election.

The rector represents students on the university’s governing Court and serves a three-year term.

Manivannan faced criticism after saying rape was a “spectrum”; a Scottish rape crisis group accused them of minimising sexual violence.

Manivannan apologised for their language, while saying the remarks had been taken out of context.

Students are due to vote online on Thursday and Friday, with the winner to be announced after the vote.