OXFORD University is considering calls to strip the Sultan of Brunei of an honorary degree, following international backlash. 

Yesterday the institution confirmed the decision to confer the honorary degree of civil law by diploma to Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah in 1993 would be reconsidered.

It follows widespread condemnation of new anti-LGBT laws in the country, which include punishing gay sex by stoning 'offenders' to death.

The university said it shared the 'international revulsion' of the laws and would reconsider the degree through its 'established process.'

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The full statement said: "The University of Oxford shares in the international revulsion of the new Penal Code in Brunei and strongly supports the United Nations’ call to stop the code coming into force.

"As an institution deeply committed to equality, diversity and individual rights we understand and share the concerns of our students and staff who have expressed abhorrence at recent developments in Brunei and would like to disassociate from them.

"We also believe in due process. Just as nobody has a right to confer an honorary degree, nobody has a right summarily to rescind it.

"The decision to confer this degree 26 years ago was recommended by a Committee and approved by Council and by Congregation at the time.

"We will reconsider this decision through our established process in light of the information now available, as other British Universities are doing.

"At no point has the University declined to reconsider this decision."

Yesterday crowds surged through barriers outside the luxury Dorchester Hotel in London, which is one of the hotels owned by the Sultan of Brunei.

Oxford Mail:

Protesters outside the Dorcester Hotel (Pic: Sophie Hogan/PA)

More than 100 people, many waving rainbow flags and banners, chanted 'shame on you' and held signs calling for homophobia to be stamped out.