The trans-rights activist responsible for gluing themself to the Oxford Union floor was de-arrested because the debating society chose not to press charges.
Thames Valley Police has provided an explanation for why the anti-monarchy and trans-rights activist Riz Possnett was de-arrested for glueing their hands to the floor during feminist professor Kathleen Stock’s contentious talk on Tuesday.
Possnett dramatically forced the professor’s interview to be halted for around 10 minutes and four officers were required to arrest and remove them from the private property.
READ MORE: Why Kathleen Stock protest meant Oxford cops were stretched
Prof Stock, who has questioned whether gender identity is more socially significant than biological sex, was greeted at the Oxford Union by hundreds of LGBTQ+ activists on St Michael’s street when she first arrived.
A police spokesman has since confirmed to the Oxford Mail the activist from Bury St Edmunds was later de-arrested as “the event organisers did not support prosecution”.
And Thames Valley Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Barber has warned he is worried about an “increasing trend amongst some to believe that protest has to be disruptive and that such disruption can be indiscriminate”.
Due to the union’s concerns for Prof Stock’s safety, police and security personnel were required to help the academic reach the debating chamber, where she was then later questioned by Oxford Union president Matthew Dick.
READ MORE: Oxford Kathleen Stock protester explains glue stunt
Following the large protests outside the Union, Mr Barber told the Oxford Times the protesters’ actions had a “significant impact” on resources and led officers unable to resume normal activities such as responding to burglaries.
It is understood that if the incident had been a public order offence, then it would have been easier for the police to continue action against the activist.
Mr Barber said the “right to protest is central to our democracy” but was not an “unlimited right”.
He said: “Any protest activity must however be lawful and proportionate and the general public rightly expect the police to uphold the law impartially to protect those going about their lawful business.
"This is something I am pleased to say Thames Valley Police has a good track record of achieving.”
READ MORE: Oxford Union trans rights talk interrupted by protester
Mr Barber has suggested that a new dangerous precedent has emerged, where “for some it would appear that protest is no longer a means to an end but perhaps more an end in itself”.
Mr Dick said that protesters were “entitled” to express their opposition to Prof Stock and he did not believe that it would be right to characterise the activists as "cowardly".
Instead, Mr Dick said he was pleased the disruption had failed to prevent freedom of speech being upheld and he gave the assurance that the union would remain “unwavering” in pressing ahead with talks which encouraged “free debate”.
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Ed specialises in writing political stories for the Oxford Mail and The Oxford Times.
He joined in the team in February 2023, after completing a History undergraduate degree at the University of York and studying for his NCTJ diploma in London.
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