London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Friday, Jun 20, 2025

Blind student 'dragged out' of Oxford Union debating chamber wins payout

Blind student 'dragged out' of Oxford Union debating chamber wins payout

A blind student who was forcibly removed from the Oxford Union debating society has won compensation.

Ebenezer Azamati, then 25, was ‘manhandled’ by a security guard as he went to return to his seat ahead of a debate on October 17 last year.

Worried about disabled access to the chamber, the postgraduate student arrived early to place a book on a seat next to the door.

He then left to get dinner before returning to the reserved seat ahead of the debate.

However, when he returned, he was ‘forcibly and violently’ prevented from staying there.

Video footage showed an argument between security and the international relations student before he is bundled out of the chamber. A white cane is visible in the footage.

Brandan McGrath, who was president of the society, accused Mr Azamati of being violent and dishonest and banned him for two terms. He later retracted the ban and said sorry.

The union has now apologised again to Mr Azamati for the ‘acute distress’ and ‘serious reputational harm’ caused by unfounded allegations against him.



‘We accept that those allegations are wholly unfounded and untrue, and we apologise for making the statements that contained them,’ the union said in a statement posted on Twitter.

‘What happened to Mr Azamati was fundamentally wrong. We apologise to him unreservedly and have made a compensatory payment to him in recognition of this.

‘We must ensure that we become an institution in which such an incident can never recur. We are committed to that change.’


Oxford Union acknowledged Mr Azamati should not have been removed


The amount of compensation has not been disclosed but Mail Online reported the payout could be worth thousands of pounds.

Mr Azamati has previously said he didn’t feel welcome in the UK.

He said: ‘Being publicly removed from the Oxford Union Society made me feel unwelcome in the Union, Oxford and even the country.


Oxford Union agreed to review its policies and procedures

‘I felt that I was treated as not being human enough to deserve justice and fair treatment.’

The union said it accepted calls for ‘root and branch changes’ to be made at the society.

As part of the settlement agreed with Mr Azamati’s legal team, two independent lawyers will review the union’s policies and procedures in relation to equality and access.

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
16 Billion Login Credentials Leaked in Unprecedented Cybersecurity Breach
Senate hearing on who was 'really running' Biden White House kicks off
Iranian Military Officers Reportedly Seek Contact with Reza Pahlavi, Signal Intent to Defect
FBI and Senate Investigate Allegations of Chinese Plot to Influence the 2020 Election in Biden’s Favor Using Fake U.S. Driver’s Licenses
Vietnam Emerges as Luxury Yacht Destination for Ultra‑Rich
Plans to Sell Dutch Embassy in Bangkok Face Local Opposition
China's Iranian Oil Imports Face Disruption Amid Escalating Middle East Tensions
Trump's $5 Million 'Trump Card' Visa Program Draws Nearly 70,000 Applicants
DGCA Finds No Major Safety Concerns in Air India's Boeing 787 Fleet
Airlines Reroute Flights Amid Expanding Middle East Conflict Zones
Elon Musk's xAI Seeks $9.3 Billion in Funding Amid AI Expansion
Trump Demands Iran's Unconditional Surrender Amid Escalating Conflict
Israeli Airstrike Targets Iranian State TV in Central Tehran
President Trump is leaving the G7 summit early and has ordered the National Security Council to the Situation Room
Taiwan Imposes Export Ban on Chips to Huawei and SMIC
Israel has just announced plans to strike Tehran again, and in response, Trump has urged people to evacuate
Netanyahu Signals Potential Regime Change in Iran
Juncker Criticizes EU Inaction on Trump Tariffs
EU Proposes Ban on New Russian Gas Contracts
Analysts Warn Iran May Resort to Unconventional Warfare
Iranian Regime Faces Existential Threat Amid Conflict
Energy Infrastructure Becomes War Zone in Middle East
UK Home Secretary Apologizes Over Child Grooming Failures
Trump Organization Launches 5G Mobile Network and Golden Handset
Towcester Hosts 2025 English Greyhound Derby Amid Industry Scrutiny
Gary Oldman and David Beckham Knighted in King's Birthday Honours
Over 30,000 Lightning Strikes Recorded Across UK During Overnight Storms
Princess of Wales Returns to Public Duties at Trooping the Colour
Red Arrows Use Sustainable Fuel in Historic Trooping the Colour Flypast
Former Welsh First Minister Addresses Unionist Concerns Over Irish Language
Iran Signals Openness to Nuclear Negotiations Amid Ongoing Regional Tensions
France Bars Israeli Arms Companies from Paris Defense Expo
King Charles Leads Tribute to Air India Crash Victims at Trooping the Colour
Jack Pitchford Embarks on 200-Mile Walk to Support Stem Cell Charity
Surrey Hikers Take on Challenge of Climbing 11 Peaks in a Single Day
UK Deploys RAF Jets to Middle East Amid Israel-Iran Tensions
Two Skydivers Die in 'Tragic Accident' at Devon Airfield
Sainsbury's and Morrisons Accused of Displaying Prohibited Tobacco Ads
UK Launches National Inquiry into Grooming Gangs
Families Seek Closure After Air India Crash
Gold Emerges as Global Safe Haven Amid Uncertainty
Trump Reports $57 Million Earnings from Crypto Venture
Trump's Military Parade Sparks Concerns Over Authoritarianism
Nationwide 'No Kings' Protests Challenge Trump's Leadership
UK Deploys Jets to Middle East Amid Rising Tensions
Trump's Anti-War Stance Tested Amid Israel-Iran Conflict
Germany Holds First Veterans Celebration Since WWII
U.S. Health Secretary Dismisses CDC Vaccine Advisory Committee
Minnesota Lawmaker Melissa Hortman and Husband Killed in Targeted Attack; Senator John Hoffman and Wife Injured
Exiled Iranian Prince Reza Pahlavi Urges Overthrow of Khamenei Regime
×