Chaos as union president is sacked by students
A student's union president tonight lost his job when a vote of no confidence was passed amid chaotic scenes. Students at the University of West England gathered in the Glendenning Theatre to remove Chris Morrall from office following rumblings of discontent that stretched back to his election last year.
The motion to dismiss Mr Morrall was brought by Environmental Office Ryan McGavock and backed by many of the other officers. In it they accused him of failing to take on duties that should have been his, of disregarding decisions taken by part-time officers against the union's constitution and of jeopardising the union's relationship with the University.
It also delivered a verdict that "after six months in office [Mr Morrall] has not fulfilled or begun to fulfil any of his verbal or written promises made to the students" and that he "has constantly abused his position and Union privileges for personal gain".
The motion needed a 2/3 majority to succeed and was passed by 180 to 76 votes. The president's duties will be split between the remaining sabbatical officers for the rest of the year.
Yesterday, the officers campaigning for his dismissal released a statement saying that they would no longer work with Mr Morrall. "We believe that the Sabbatical Officers would work more effectively [without him]," they said. "We do not feel that [he is] fit to be the Union President."
They also alleged that he had "initiated a malicious campaign against the Academic Affairs Officer and the Environmental Officer which has resulted in defamation of characters". They added that they were seeking legal advice.
Writing on the Union's message boards on Tuesday, Mr Morrall tried to win over students to vote against his dismissal. "I have worked tirelessly for the union since I have held office and have met almost all of my goals in my manifesto, the others of which are my current projects," he said, going on to list achievements including on a campaign to get a sports centre built.
However, critics accused him of trying to take the credit for other officers' work and of not pulling his weight. They also brought up allegations surrounding his election campaign, which appear not to have been fully resolved.
Tonight, though, students voted at an Extraordinary General Meeting to remove Mr Morrall from office. The debate was curtailed following repeated interruptions from Mr Morrall's supporters, which meant that students were not able to question him, despite being able to question the two students responsible for the no confidence motion.
A motion was also proposed to remove the chairperson following accusations of bias, since he apparently threw a pint over Mr Morrall following his election as president. This was defeated and the meeting continued with further wrecking tactics until it ran out of time and a vote was called.
Mr Morrall's opponents needed 171 of the 256 people present to support the motion for it to succeed; the final count was 180. It was by no means an unequivocal decision by students given the size of the turnout, but despite the vocal criticisms of Mr Morrall's supporters his tenure as president appears to be over.
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