Peer makes libel payout to University Challenge contestant

A Conservative member of the House of Lords has paid substantial damages after alleging that a University of Oxford student was displaying “disgusting antisemitic symbols” on University Challenge.

Baroness Foster of Oxton has also published a retraction and an apology after her social media post led to Melika Gorgianeh, a second-year astrophysics PhD at Christ Church, Oxford, receiving death threats following her appearance on the BBC quiz show.

In a post on Twitter/X in November last year, Baroness Foster alleged that Ms Gorgianeh had been solely responsible for the Christ Church’s team mascot – a blue octopus – which was a “disgusting antisemitic symbol”.

She also alleged that Ms Gorgianeh’s jacket displayed the colours of the Palestinian flag, despite it being navy blue, orange, pink and green, and called for Ms Gorgianeh to be “expelled” by her university and “arrested” by the police.

Although broadcast in November – shortly after the 7 October attacks on Israel by Hamas – the episode was in fact filmed in March 2023.

Following a claim for libel and harassment, Baroness Foster has accepted that both of those allegations are “completely false and unfounded”, has apologised for the distress caused to Ms Gorgianeh, and has confirmed that she is paying her damages and legal costs.

Ms Gorgianeh said she was glad that Baroness Foster has publicly acknowledged that the allegations – which had a “profound and deeply damaging impact” – were completely false.

“I was a student appearing on my favourite TV quiz show,” she said.

“All of a sudden, lies told about me, and only me, led to me receiving death threats and to my mental health deteriorating.”

The Oxford student said Baroness Foster’s posts, and those of others, affected both her and her family, leaving her feeling unsafe to leave her house.

“Nobody should ever have to feel how I felt or go through what I went through. Words have consequences.

“And now, through her apology, Baroness Foster’s words begin to have the consequence of healing the very real damage that had been done to me.”

A previous complaint by Ms Gorgianeh to the Commissioner of the House of Lords concerning Baroness Foster’s conduct was not upheld.

Zillur Rahman, of Rahman Lowe Solicitors, said statements made by a person in a position of power, authority and respect have a far greater impact than those made by less prominent figures.

“The very many people who read the baroness’ post would therefore have believed that our client was antisemitic and guilty of criminally deploying Nazi propaganda.

“It is deeply disturbing that once again, we see a senior figure in UK politics, a peer of the House of Lords no less, attacking and weaponising antisemitism against a young female Muslim student in this way.”

Details of the case were disclosed shortly after it emerged that Michelle Donelan, the science secretary, had paid damages to a professor whom she had suggested had expressed sympathy for Hamas.

patrick.jack@timeshighereducation.com