STUDENTS who nominated right-wing provocateur Milo Yiannopoulos as Glasgow University's next rector have gone into hiding claiming they are facing a barrage of violent threats.
Campaigners behind the "Milo for Rector" bid say they will not reveal their identities because they fear being attacked by angry opponents.
In a statement, a spokesman said: "We have unfortunately had to remain anonymous in our campaign thus far due to the violent threats that have been made against us and our supporters.
"We have had no choice but to take these seriously in order to ensure the safety of those associated with the campaign.
"However, this does not hinder our efforts in campaigning for Milo and we will continue to do so to the best of our ability."
The nomination of Mr Yiannopoulos - an incendiary figure who has stoked controversy by railing against feminism, obese people and immigrants - sparked outrage among many Glasgow students who have launched a 3,000-strong petition calling for his removal from race to be rector.
Mr Yiannopoulos has personally accepted an invitation to take part in the election process.
After his nomination, which required at least ten students, the 32-year-old said: “Tip for Glasgow students: Literally nothing will annoy your professors more than this.”
A noted Donald Trump supporter and central figure of the so-called ‘alt-right’ movement, the British pundit has become a prominent speaker in the United States - attracting protestors to many of his lectures on university campuses.
He was recently forced to resign as senior editor of right-wing outlet Breitbart News Network after footage surfaced that showed him apparently advocating the possibility of sexual relationships between 13-year-olds and adults.
In the clip, he defines paedophiles as people who are sexually attracted to children who have not reached puberty. He adds that he believes some teenagers under the age of 16 are able to consent to sexual activity.
But this followed a string of controversies including being banned from micro-blogging site Twitter after trolling the African-American actress Leslie Jones about her role in the 2016 Ghostbusters remake described her as “a black character worthy of a minstrel show”.
Student sources close to the nomination process at Glasgow University have indicated that Yiannopoulos will remain one of the 12 names put forward to replace the current rector, NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden.
One source said: “There is a lot of discussion online and social media on both ends of the argument, but broadly speaking the situation is that all the candidates have met the guidelines, and they will be moving forward with the election at this time. And that’s really the final say on it.”
A student petition has also called for the removal of another candidate, Professor Jordan Peterson, from consideration. mr Peterson is a clinical psychology professor at University of Toronto widely known for his views against genderless pronouns.
Though largely a ceremonial role, the Rector is expected to bring student concerns to the attention of the University’s managers, attend meetings of Court, the governing body of the institution and to work closely with the SRC.”
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The other 11 candidates are human rights lawyer Aamer Anwar, former Liberal Democrat MP Vince Cable, Lady Hazel Cosgrove, the first woman to be appointed to a permanent seat as a judge in the Court of Session, and PissPigGranddad, an American internet celebrity fighting with the People’s Defence Unit in Syria.
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