A blind student was dragged ‘by his ankles’ out of one of the country’s most prestigious debating societies, the Oxford Union, by security officials, it has been claimed.
Ebenezer Azamati, 25, was allegedly manhandled by security guards when he tried to attend a Union meeting.
The incident, described as ‘violent, inhumane and shameful’, was caught on video which shows two Oxford officials intimidating the PHD graduate, from Ghana.
Mr Azamati, who is visually impaired, had entered Oxford Union on October 17 to reserve an accessible seat ahead of the talk, concerned there wouldn't be any disabled provisions.
He exited the hall and went for dinner but when he returned to his seat, officials tried to remove him.
In the video, a distressed plea can be heard from Mr Azamati, as one of the guards tries to prize his fingers apart to take his Union card. Mr Azamati is then pulled by the feet from the room.
Mr Azamati said: “In being publicly removed from the Oxford Union Society made me feel unwelcome in the Union, Oxford and even the country. I felt that I was treated as not being human enough to deserve justice and fair treatment.”
The committee agreed to suspend Mr Azamati from the union for two terms, sparking outrage among campaigns groups.
The Oxford Union Africa Society criticised Mr McGrath, saying he oversaw an unfair hearing where Mr Azamati was not given sufficient time to bring his witnesses and which resulted in the suspension of Mr Azamati’s Union membership until May 2020.
Mr McGrath was also not present at the scene of the incident yet still made a complaint.
An appeal hearing on Saturday heard evidence from fellow student Henry Hatwell, 21, said: “Thirty seconds after he [Azamati] sat down, the security guard came in. Five seconds afterwards, he started touching Azamati, who was holding on to the bench. Thirty seconds later, they were dragging him by his ankles.”
During the hearing, it was alleged Mr Azamati had 'acted in alarm as a blind man who had been assaulted'.
The appeal also stated that 'a white blind man would not have been treated that way'.
The OUAS confirmed this morning that Mr McGrath had formally withdrawn his charge.
On its website, the OUAS reported The Intermediate Disciplinary Committee "has thus found Mr. Azamati not guilty of all charges brought against him".
Mr McGrath has now apologised to Mr Azamati for causing distress and reputational damage.
However, the OUAS is calling for further justice, including a public apology, the resignation of Mr McGrath and disciplinary action against the offending security staff.
In a statement Oxford Union said it apologised 'unreservedly for the distress caused'.
Oxford University said: 'The Oxford Union is an independent society. The university has no control over its events.'
