US Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump’s campaign statement in which he stated that Muslims nurse a “hatred” towards America has landed the outspoken businessman in hot water after it was announced recently he was being revoked of an honorary degree he was awarded by a university in 2010.
A spokesman for Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen, said the award was made prior to the appointment of RGU’s current principal, Prof Ferdinand von Prondzynski,who hails from Knockdrin Castle on the outskirts of Mullingar. The spokesperson added that the principal was “totally committed to equality of opportunity and to respect for different cultures, values which are an important part of RGU’s ethos.”
The decision came after a petition accusing Mr. Trump of “hate speech” was signed by thousands of people.
At the time of receiving his honorary degree in 2010, Mr Trump said it was “a great university and a great honour.”
First Minister in Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon said that the American’s comments were “obnoxious and offensive” and had “rightly been condemned by people across the political spectrum.”
A decision to award Mr Trump his university accolade threw up opposition at the time and Mr Trump’s golf resort at Menie in Aberdeenshire has divided opinion for many years. David Kennedy, principal of RGU between 1987-1997, had said he was “appalled” that Mr Trump was getting the award and handed back and honorary degree.
“In the course of the current US election campaign, Mr Trump has made a number of statements that are wholly incompatible with the ethos and values of the university,” the school said on its Twitter account. “The university has therefore decided to revoke its award of the honorary degree.”
