University urged to take back Brooks' award

The UK's largest arts university is facing demands from academics and students to withdraw an honorary award it bestowed upon Rebekah Brooks for her "considerable contribution" to journalism. Brooks received an honorary fellowship from the University of the Arts London (UAL) last year amid much fanfare. The institution posted photos online of Brooks at the ceremony with the university's rector, Nigel Carrington. But these were taken down on Friday after enquiries were made by the Guardian. A letter, signed by academics and the head of the university's student union, has been sent to the university's registrar, Steve Marshall, insisting that the fellowship is revoked. They include Gary Horne, a governor of the university and director of the journalism masters course at the London College of Communication, from which Brooks is a graduate. The letter's nine signatories include academics representing the institution's branch of the lecturers' trade union, the University and College Union, as well as support staff, the student union and alumni. The letter describes giving Brooks the fellowship as "offensive and indefensible". Horne said staff, and the general public, felt the actions of some News of the World journalists had been "reprehensible" and "repugnant". From / Gulf News