Cambridge college head 'steps back' over handling of sex complaints
The head of a Cambridge college has agreed to "step back" from his duties following allegations he mishandled students' complaints about sexual misconduct.
Trinity Hall said its master, Dr Jeremy Morris, made the move voluntarily while the college considers its response to the issues raised in a report published by Tortoise Media last week.
The website revealed allegations of rape and sexual assault were made by three females against the same man in 2018.
Two women chose to bring formal complaints through the college against the male student, who denied the allegations.
Dr William O'Reilly, a Trinity Hall staff fellow, has also stepped back from teaching and supervision work after being criticised for his role in overseeing the disciplinary process triggered by the women's complaints.
The Tortoise Media investigation has prompted more than 600 students to sign a letter raising concerns over how sexual misconduct allegations are dealt with at Cambridge University.
The letter written by Cambridge University Students' Union Women's Campaign said colleges were "inadequately equipped" to tackle such issues.
It called for "a centralised system that allows these cases to be dealt with by independent external experts, not conflicted members of staff from the same college".
Nearly 300 students have also signed an open letter to the university's history faculty criticising its response to the allegations over Dr O'Reilly's conduct.
In a statement, Trinity Hall said a panel of "unconflicted Fellows" will issue an interim report on March 2 on how it should respond to the issues raised by the Tortoise Media investigation.
In an internal email, the university said: "The Faculty takes its safeguarding responsibilities extremely seriously. It regards the welfare of its students as its highest priority.
"It also has a duty of care to a member of staff who is not under investigation for any offence and who protests his innocence.
"At the present time, Dr William O'Reilly has voluntarily and temporarily stepped back from his teaching and supervising."
A spokesman for Dr O'Reilly said: "Dr O'Reilly believes he acted with integrity and followed appropriate safeguarding advice throughout the various internal processes at Trinity Hall.
"He rejects any suggestion that he behaved improperly and is appalled that what should have been confidential procedures have been made public."
