Chris Brand chronology

The front page of Student, Edinburgh University's independent student newspaper, calling for the sacking of Chris Brand on 18th April 1996.

Christopher Richard Brand (born in Preston, England, 1 June 1943) is a British psychological and psychometric researcher. He was a lecturer of psychology at Edinburgh University when he made controversial claims that black people were less intelligent than whites and that some forms of child sex were not harmful.

Below is a chronology of the Chris Brand affair at Edinburgh University.

article that started it all: Ros Wynne-Jones, 'Stupid blacks' book row, The Independent on Sunday (London), 14 April 1996

ANL pamphlet on the Chris Brand case

1984

According to a Scotsman report in 1996, students of Brand protested in 1984 at the content of his classes:

a group of 25 students refused to take part in a practical experiment when Mr Brand asked them to detail their sexual fantasies and favourite sexual positions.

1986

In 1986 students again protested:

Chris Brand, a lecturer in psychology, was forced to resign as director of studies at Edinburgh University [in 1986] after students boycotted his lectures... Lorna Waite, 31, graduated in psychology from Edinburgh University in 1986. Earlier that year she organised alternative seminars and lectures after becoming "sickened" by what she describes as Mr Brand's racist and sexist verbal attacks on students. Her seminars and lectures were attended by almost all of the fourth-year psychology group who had boycotted Mr Brand's lectures...

Ms Waite and other students also recall Mr Brand telling one student, who was about to marry an Asian man, that "her children would be genetically inferior". A former student, Alastair Baird, said he was particularly shocked when Mr Brand suggested that Africa should be recolonised by Britain's less intelligent people. Another student said the lecturer often told female students that they had "only come to university to get a better class of husband"...

In April 1986, all 42 members of the fourth-year group in psychology met the acting head of department, Dr Halla Beloff, to present their complaints. Dr Beloff collected written evidence about alleged sexual and racial harassment and handed it to the Dean of the Faculty of Social Science. Following a disciplinary meeting, Mr Brand was told to resign as director of studies, but he was allowed to continue lecturing. Dr Beloff said: "There were problems at the time which I wanted to take up because my prime responsibility was to the students."

Last night, Mr Brand said he was saddened that former students had chosen to publicly criticise him ten years after events which he regarded as either humorous or scientifically defendable. "I knew at the time that somebody was out to get me," he said. "I knew Dr Beloff contributed to the inquiries, but the faculty would never tell what any of the charges were or who had made them. If I had known what the allegations were I would have defended them scientifically at the time."

1996

April

The Student, editorial, 18 April 1996

14 April 1996

Chris Brand, a lecturer of psychology at the University of Edinburgh, causes controversy when he is quoted in the Independent on Sunday as saying “It is scientific fact that black Americans are less intelligent than white Americans and the IQ of Asians is higher than blacks.” The paper also quoted him as saying: 'I am perfectly proud to be a racist in the scientific sense,':

Mr Brand, who never gained a doctorate but formulated his ideas as a prison psychologist, said his book represents a stand against the "high priests of egalitarianism and political correctness". He argues that under- standing that people have different levels of 'g', or general intellectual ability, could eradicate the problem of single mothers.

'The only way to get away from the explosion of single parenting is to persuade these girls to postpone babies before finding a more suitable husband.' They would then widen the gene pool of their offspring with a decent scattering of intelligent ancestry. 'They should be encouraged to have sex with higher-IQ boys. There need be no compulsion, but we could teach these girls that it would be highly advantageous.'

Brand's views were also circulated to the rest of the press by a Press Association report:

Chris Brand, lecturer in psychology at Edinburgh University, argues in his book, out next Thursday, that acceptance of the reality of unequal intelligence would help millions escape the poverty trap. "I am happy to be called a scientific racist," he said. "I don't feel afraid to face up to it. I want to help to people with problems caused by a low IQ." But other psychology academics were critical of his views, and a poverty charity director said his suggestions about single mothers were unrealistic and based on mistaken assumptions. The book, The g Factor - "g" refers to general intellectual ability - only mentions briefly his belief that on average, black people tend to be less intelligent than whites, he said. For too long debate about IQ had been swept under the carpet by political correctness and concern about the risk of following the Nazis down a road which began with support for gene selection, he said.

Week beginning 15 April 1996

After the first press report on Sunday 14 April, 'Edinburgh students walked out on lectures by Mr Brand'. According to later reports 'outraged students immediately began a boycott of Brand's lectures, refusing to be taught by someone who, as on student put it "has taught me nothing about science, but lots about racism'". Over 70 third year psychology students walked out of his lectures and have maintained a boycott of his classes.' The fullest report of this was in the Herald:

STUDENTS have walked out of classes held by an Edinburgh University lecturer at the centre of a controversy over his new book, which suggests black people are less intelligent than whites and that single women should find higher-IQ males to father their children. Psychology lecturer Chris Brand had 70 third-year psychology students boycott his classes. The students have demanded that the university find an alternative lecturer and expressed their disgust at the views in the book.

A letter to be sent to the head of the psychology department, Professor Robert Grieve, and to the university's students' association, said the students felt his views were racist and sexist and harmful to the reputation of psychology. Mr Brand said he was taken aback by the students' action and said he had offered to discuss the book with his class.

Professor Grieve said he would look at the matter when he received the letter. A university spokeswoman said there was no change made to an earlier comment that academics were free to express their views as long as they were inside the law and said no disciplinary action would be considered.

16 April 1996

The Scotsman cited a number of critics of Brand including John Gillott (of the LM network):

For academics such as John Gillot, a member of the Genetic Interest Group who gave a talk on genetics at the Edinburgh International Science Festival, Brand is a liability, who brings the legitimate study of genetics into ill-repute.

"I would disagree with what he says entirely. The IQ-race issue is totally wrong. A lot of scientists find him an embarrassment, there's no scientific reason for his main claim that there are genetically caused IQ differences between races."

Brand himself is also quoted:

"My publishers want to be dissociated from the book and are imploring me not to discuss race with the media and say I'm not to mention their name in association with the book," says Brand, who dutifully does not refer to his academic publishers, John Wiley & Sons, despite being forcefully unapologetic about what he has written.

"Criminality, illiteracy, out of wedlock parenting, most of these problems are largely due to low IQ. There are links of low IQ to skin colour and to race. To deny that is to fall prey to the political correctness that is warping American society. The term racist is used to scare everybody."

18 April 1996

Mark Campanile, 'Anger at race man's police job', Edinburgh Evening News 18 April 1996)

Brand’s book The g Factor, due to be published on 18 April 1996, is withdrawn by publishers John Wiley & Sons after his comments were published in the Independent on Sunday. John Wiley & Sons state that Chris Brand’s assertions in his new book are “repellant”.

Student, Edinburgh University’s student newspaper run a front page story on the Chris Brand affair, with the headline ‘SACK HIM! - Student fury as Uni backs “racist” lecturer’. The article states that students have boycotted some of Brand’s lectures and despite widespread condemnation of Brand’s comments, the University is still backing Brand.

22 April 1996

The Guardian reveals that Chris Brand is to be dropped from his position as a consultant psychologist for Lothian and Borders Police. On expiry, Mr Brand’s contract would not be renewed.

23-24 April 1996

Students at Edinburgh University begin discussions on boycotting Brand’s lectures and on how to apply pressure on the university to ban him.

25 April 1996

The Student’s Representative Council unanimously ratifies a motion calling on Edinburgh University to sack Chris Brand over his comments. Speaking of the ratification of the motion, Catherine Bromley, Vice-President Representation of EUSA, stated “This is very welcome. It is time for us to take a strong and resolved stance on this issue. I am confident that the University will listen carefully to our requests. What remains paramount is that the needs and desires of the students are met, and their confidence in their department is restored.”

Professor Robert Grieve, Head of Department, insists that Brand will continue to lecture at the university although provisions have been made for those students boycotting his lectures.

May

16 May 1996

The Anti-Nazi League hold a rally against Chris Brand, with Professor Steven Rose and MEP Glyn Ford guest speakers.

At Glasgow University, a protest in defence of free speech and the right of Chris Brand to express his views is held on the steps of Glasgow's Gallery of Modern Art. The protest was organised by the Revolutionary Communist Students group. The Scotsman said:

Students barred from using a university building after supporting the right of the "race row" lecturer Chris Brand to express his views staged a protest on the steps of Glasgow's Gallery of Modern Art yesterday.

Dressed in academic gowns and mortarboards, they spelled out the word "Freedom" with piles of books, before burning a paper degree scroll which read: "Free Speech on Campus".

The Glasgow University students were suspended from the Students' Representative Council's facilities after they arranged a protest against what they saw as the censorship of Mr Brand's opinions.

The Scotsman article continued:

Alberto Costa, president of the SRC, confirmed that the Revolutionary Communist Students group, which organised the meeting, had been suspended from using its building because it was believed the members had contravened its equal opportunities policy by indirectly promoting racism.

"We felt that, as there was a clear feeling that this policy had been breached, the group should be suspended until an investigation had been held. This does not affect the right of any matriculated student to use the SRC's services."

June

The Scotsman reports that Chris Brand has been instructed to change his teaching style following an inquiry by Edinburgh University. Published on 1 June 1996.

1 June 1996

After a month long inquiry by the University of Edinburgh, Chris Brand is instructed to change his teaching style. Professor Sir Stewart Sutherland states that whilst he supports academic freedom, such freedom brings responsibilities, such as a need for positive relationships with students and a balanced and competent teaching style. Chris Brand dismisses the inquiry as a “witchhunt”.

5 June 1996

The letter written by Hugh Peto & Fiona McEwan concerning Chris Brand and academic freedom. The letter was published in The Scotsman on 5 June 1996.

Hugh Peto and Fiona McEwan, two students of Edinburgh University (Peto at least being affiliated to Revolutionary Communist Students), write a letter to The Scotsman claiming academic freedom is being undermined by the university inquiry looking into Chris Brand's conduct. In the letter they state "What is being recommended is an atmosphere in which the expression of strongly-held points of view is unacceptable. This is a much more dangerous outcome than any of Mr Brand's ideas."

August

22 August 1996

A debate involving Chris Brand is called off after police expressed fears for public safety. A 50 strong group of Anti-Nazi protesters picketed the Cyberia Cafe on Hanover Street, Edinburgh. Brand had been due to debate with Kenan Malik (of the LM network) and Marek Kohn. Malik said "We condemn the Anti-Nazi League for its attempt to suppress free speech." According to Beth Greenhill a fourth year psychology student and one of the leaders of the protests:

During the Edinburgh Festival in august, the ANL organised a mass picket of a debate that Brand was due to participate in at the Cyberia cafe. we succeeded in getting the meeting cancelled and instead we held an impromptu rally with performers from the festival including comedia Jeremy Hardy and members of the Blues Train Theatre company of south Africa and the Right from America Theatre company.'

October

The Student reports that Chris Brand has been dropped from the Ethics Committee. The Student, 17 October 1996.

The Student reports that Reverend Iain Whyte offers to act as a mediator between Chris Brand and the university. Brand rejects the offer. The Student, p. 2, 31 October 1996.

11 October 1996

Chris Brand is appointed head of the Psychology Departments Ethics Committee, sparking more outrage from students regarding Edinburgh University’s handling of the affair.

17 October 1996

The Student reports that Chris Brand has been dropped as head of the Edinburgh Psychology Department’s Ethics Committee, just ten days after he had been given the role. The article goes on to say that Brand is however to remain a member of the committee. Edinburgh University Rector, Dr Malcom Macleod said “I also welcome the acknowledgment that there was a failure of judgment at departmental level in making the original appointment, and I trust that lessons have been learned for the future.”

24 October 1996

Students continue to protest against Edinburgh University’s refusal to sack Chris Brand. A petition condemning the university for allowing Brand, despite being removed as its head, to remain on the Psychology Department Ethics Committee and demanding his sacking, is signed by 500 students. The petition is presented to the principal of Edinburgh University, Professor Sir Stewart Sutherland by forty students, some members of the Anti-Nazi League.

31 October 1996

The letter written by Hugh Peto concerning Chris Brand's removal from the Ethics Committee. The letter was published in Student on 31 October 1996.

Hugh Peto, a member of Revolutionary Communist Students writes to the Student, Edinburgh University’s student newspaper, arguing against the removal of Brand from the ethics committee. Peto states “What makes Brand different from the rest of the committee? Are they all angels themselves? Perhaps they are biologically superior?”

The Student reports that Chris Brand has refused an offer by Rev Iain Whyte, the university chaplain, to act as mediator between Brand and the university. Brand said "I won't waste my time on people who don't do their homework. He has got to read what I have said."

November

1 November 1996

Students disrupt a lecture by Chris Brand, resulting in its cancellation.

A LUNCHTIME lecture to be given by the controversial Edinburgh University lecturer and self-styled scientific racist Chris Brand was cancelled yesterday after student protesters refused to allow him to speak. The psychology lecturer was due to deliver the first in a series of lunchtime talks on the subject of his banned book, The g Factor, which maintains that black people are generally less intelligent than white, and that single mothers have low IQs.

Some two dozen students left a demonstration outside the psychology department to ask the audience to boycott Mr Brand's lecture. The talk was cancelled when the protesters declined to remain quiet so that Mr Brand could speak. The protesters promised further action when Mr Brand begins lecturing third-year students in two weeks. Nicola Owen, a third-year linguistics student and a member of the Anti-Nazi League, said: "We were in there for ten minutes and we got the lecture stopped. We refused to discuss the issue with him because we refuse to give his ideas any kind of platform." Ms Owen said she had not read The g Factor, but had read Mr Brand's research work, which appears on the Internet, and magazine articles he has written.

A petition condemning the university for allowing Mr Brand to remain a member of the psychology department's ethics committee, and demanding his sacking, has now been signed by more than 700 students. Mr Brand was replaced as chair of the ethics committee earlier this month.

Rev Iain Whyte, chaplain at Edinburgh University, stated he sympathised with the view of the protesters. Rev Iain Whyte said: "There are a lot of African students at this university. How are they going to feel when they read views attributed to Mr Brand which include the opinion that Africa should be colonised by the less desirable members of our community?

"I have read the stuff he has put out on the (Internet) pages and the contempt he has for some ethnic minorities and single parents does raise questions about how he is as a teacher." According to The Student Whyte also said that Brand's reported advocacy of re-colonising Africa was 'worth of Goebbels' and that 'Let's not forget that the Holocaust and apartheid were and still are justified by learned academics'.

8 November 1996

Chris Brand comes under fire from the press after his controversial comments regarding child sex are published. This article appeared in The Daily Record, p. 7 on 8 November 1996.

Chris Brand is suspended by Edinburgh University over comments he made regarding paedophile sex in an internet newsletter. In the newsletter Brand said "Non-violent paedophilia with a consenting partner over age 12 does no harm so long as the paedophiles and the partners are of above average IQ and educational level. As lead choirboy and soloist, I met lots of paedophiles who would press money into my horrid little palm at the age of 13.

"For better or worse I never fancied any of them nor did anything but allow a little fondling."

Brand hits out at “the hysterical forces of political correctness in the Scottish media”, accusing them of waging a smear campaign against him.

1997

February

6 February 1997

The Student, Edinburgh University's student newspaper, carry a story relating to rumours that Chris Brand had been nominated for the position of rector at Edinburgh University. The article states:

"Speaking to Student, Brand explained how he first thought the purported nomination might have been submitted by the Revolutionary Communist Students (RCS) or Student newspaper. The RCS have consistently opposed the Anti-Nazi League's campaign to oust Brand from his university job on the basis of promoting freedom of speech. Two weeks ago, in an interview with the psychology lecturer, Student's Laura Peek had discussed the rectorship with Brand, which led him to believe he had been nominated by Student."

The purported nomination of Chris Brand for the position of rector was also mentioned in The Herald newspaper. However, it was soon revealed that neither staff nor students are eligible to be nominated for the role of rector.

7 February 1997

In an opinion piece discussing freedom of speech for The Times Higher Education Supplement, Jennie Bristow (listed as 'a final-year student at the University of Sussex', though she was also at the time active in Revolutionary Communist Students) refers to the Chris Brand affair stating “The high-profile silencing of psychology lecturer and self-confessed 'scientific racist' Chris Brand in March 1996 is a case in point. The number of restrictions on prejudiced language in colleges means that many students' unions are unable even to pay lip-service to the absolute right to freedom of speech.”

14 February 1997

In response to the opinion piece by Jennie Bristow (see 7 February 1997 entry above), Douglas Trainer, NUS national president, published a reply in The Times Higher Education Supplement. He stated:

"Jennie Bristow accused the National Union of Students of censorship, citing the BNP and Hizb-ur Tahrir as the victims. She represents only herself in this view, having failed to get elected at NUS conference a few years ago as a Revolutionary Communist Student candidate. Does she really think it acceptable for Jewish, lesbian, gay and bisexual students to put up with intimidation and violence on campus? NUS believes in fighting these evils. This is why CampusWatch was set up for students to report racism, and why we encourage interaction between students from all religions. Ms Bristow goes on to condemn the 'silencing' of self-confessed 'scientific racist' lecturer Chris Brand. In August 1996, The THES carried a similar piece by Jennie Bristow, to which I also responded. Someone who understands victimisation should be given a chance to speak. Like the vast majority of students, Jennie Bristow most likely studies at Sussex University without fear of intimidation. She has NUS and other bodies who care about the welfare of students to thank for that."

28 February 1997

Jennie Bristow replies to Douglas Trainer's response (see 14 February 1996 entry above), again in The Times Higher Education Supplement:

"Maybe if J. D. Jacobs and Douglas Trainer looked behind their own rhetoric when challenging my commitment to free speech they would find that it is not something that has been fought for by prejudiced minorities, but by people looking for a weapon to tackle prejudice (THES, February 14).

The most disturbing aspect of NUS's commitment to banning prejudiced language is the belief that the students the union represents are incapable of challenging even the most despicable of ideas, right down to Holocaust denial."

May

1 May 1997

Speaking on the eve of the Edinburgh University tribunal, Chris Brand states “The university is basically going to decide whether it will allow the right to free speech or if it is running some sort of low-grade holiday camp.”

2 May 1997

The Edinburgh University tribunal looking into Chris Brand’s conduct begins. A university spokeswoman wouldn’t reveal the precise charges, stating only that they are “related to aspects of Mr Brand’s conduct.”

9 May 1997

The Edinburgh University tribunal is adjourned to a later date after failing to complete the hearing in time. Chris Brand remains suspended from teaching and administration.

August

Jennie Bristow writes in defence of Brand in LM, No 103, September 1997 - as favourably cited by far right activist and former National Front member, and Nick Griffin advisor, Patrick Harrington

Jennifer Veitch, 'Race row lecturer axed', Edinburgh Evening News, Friday August 8 1997, p 1-2.

8 August 1997

Lawrence Donegan 'Don sacked in row over race and child sex', The Guardian, 9 August 1997, p. 4.

A university tribunal finds Chris Brand guilty of gross misconduct and he is sacked from his position at the University of Edinburgh. Brand’s claims that Internet paedophilia was acceptable, as long as the child had an above average intelligence and over 12 years of age, were described as “disgraceful” by the then principle of the university, Professor Sir Stewart Sutherland.

Chris Brand states "I will certainly be looking at an appeal in some form or another within the next 28 days."

11 August 1997

Chris Brand accuses the Principal of Edinburgh University, Sir Stewart Sutherland, of waging a witch-hunt against him, claiming “He has been out to get me.”

Three students, Fiona McEwen, Hugh Peto and Alastair Fraser, (at least one of whom - Peto - was an activist with Revolutionary Communist Students) claim “the witch-hunt against Brand marks a milestone in the “dumbing-down” of university life. It is now official university policy to protect students from unconventional or offensive ideas.” The line about dumbing down is a classic LM network argument since elaborated in a number of books by network guru Frank Furedi.

According to the Herald:

Ms Fiona McEwen, from Bridge of Weir, Basingstoke-born Hugh Peto, and Mr Alistair Fraser, from Aldershot, accused the university of waiting until the holidays to announce its decision... Sociology student Hugh Peto said yesterday in London: "Brand may be a complete maverick and a bit of an oddity but he has the right to explain his views. Let him damn himself."

14 August 1997

Chris Brand accuses the Edinburgh University tribunal of running a “kangaroo court”, denying him his freedom of speech. Brand indicates that he would appeal the tribunal’s decision.

20 August 1997

Patrick Harrington, ex National Front member and close associate of Nick Griffin of the British National Party praises the LM event

LM organises a 'free speech' event during the Edinburgh festival. Patrick Harrington (the former National Front member who went on to run the far-right Third Way and has been, according to the Guardian, the 'long-time lieutenant' of Nick Griffin of the British National Party) wrote of the event:

On August 20th 1997, during the Edinburgh Festival, I and other Third Way members attended a symposium organised by LM magazine; it was on the subject of censorship. LM was formerly known as Living Marxism, and published on behalf of the Revolutionary Communist Party. I have read LM for some years, and prior to that read the RCP paper The Next Step. The RCP were always refreshingly different… they took issue with the “no platform for fascists” policy most of the “Left” slavishly and unthinkingly sought to enforce. While no less opposed to fascism and racism than any other group, it seemed the RCP alone had sufficient faith in the merit of their own arguments, and in the British public, as to be unafraid of free and open debate. [...] The symposium was inspiring — so many people of diverse backgrounds united in their opposition to censorship and conformity…. LM supporters proved to be highly articulate, intelligent, presentable and professional — a very far cry from the sad psychological basket cases who form so many of the “leftist” and “extreme-right” groups.

September

5 September 1997

Chris Brand’s lawyers lodge appeal against his dismissal from Edinburgh University.

November

14 November 1997

Gordon Coutts QC is appointed to hear an appeal by Chris Brand against his dismissal from Edinburgh University back in August 1997.

1998

February

5 February 1998

A group of academics come out in support of Chris Brand, condemning his dismissal as an attack on academic freedom, causing an angry backlash from children’s organisations and students. The academics included Brand’s close friend Richard Lynn, a retired professor from the University of Ulster. Also included was Dr Glenn Wilson of the Institute of Psychiatry, London. Dr Wilson himself courted controversy in 1994 when he claimed women were not genetically equipped to hold top jobs.

A spokesman for The Scottish People Against Child Abusers group said “Just because he is an academic does not give him carte blanche to spout any nonsense and get away with it.”

10 February 1998

Chris Brand states that if he wins his appeal against his dismissal he will return to Edinburgh University in defence of academic freedom. The two-day internal appeal was presided over by Gordon Coutts QC.

March

24 March 1998

Chris Brand loses his appeal against his dismissal by Edinburgh University. The appeal tribunal find Chris Brand guilty of “gross misconduct”.

1999

October

29 October 1999

Chris Brand is awarded a £12,000 settlement over his dismissal by former employer Edinburgh University.

The principal of Edinburgh University, Professor Sir Stewart Sutherland said "It is a somewhat sad reflection that, in circumstances where it has been exhaustively established that the university has taken the correct action, it should be necessary to make such a payment, simply to confirm the status quo.

"It appeared unavoidable, however, if the university was to minimise the costs of setting this matter to rest."