ABOUT 2500 people have signed a petition calling for the expulsion of students found responsible for the sexist heckling of two visiting university debating champions to Glasgow.
The protest was launched after claims by Rebecca Meredith, of Cambridge University, and Marlena Valles, of Edinburgh University, that they endured misogynistic comments during the final of the Ancients Debating Championship at Glasgow University Union (GUU).
The women were said they were met with boos and calls of "shame" by a minority while addressing points of female equality, with remarks also made from the floor about their appearance and choice of outfit.
Ms Meredith, a politics student originally from Kilmacolm, Inverclyde, has reportedly been ranked among the top 20 speakers in the world with Ms Valles named the best speaker in Scotland at the Scottish National Debating championships.
An online petition launched yesterday urged the GUU to expel those found to have made the remarks with calls for president David Lockhart to enforce a "zero tolerance" of misogyny.
The organisation was the last student union in the UK to end single-sex membership, with women only admitted since 1980.
The Glasgow University SNP Association and the Glasgow University Labour Club have "disaffiliated" from the GUU until "issues of sexism and misogyny are dealt with".
Cambridge University Union has already withdrawn reciprocal membership of the GUU, with no debaters to be sent to Glasgow until the matter has been fully resolved.
It described the abuse as "egregious and utterly unacceptable".
A Glasgow University spokesman said: "The University of Glasgow has reacted to the reports of misconduct with serious concern.
"The university authorities welcome the full and unreserved apology that has already been extended by the GUU president.
"The University is also supporting the GUU in its investigation into the disruptive behaviour during the contest. The University will not tolerate abusive, threatening or sexist behaviour."
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