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.

1996

April

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 which Press Association. According to PA:

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 press report '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 noting 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.'

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."

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.

June

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, 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."

October

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.

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."

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 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.”

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

8 August 1997

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 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.”

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.

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 found 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."