Hutton Honoured at Graduations by University of Ulster

antrim | crime and justice | news report Thursday February 05, 2004 19:31 by Very Disappointed

“Former Northern Ireland Lord Chief Justice, Lord Hutton, whose criticism of the BBC in his report into the death of weapons expert Dr David Kelly made headlines around the world last week, is to receive an honorary degree from the University of Ulster at this summer’s graduations” (see link).

In the same week we saw top-up fees deliver another blow to working class education; a section of the community under represented at university levels. Publicly the University of Ulster opposed such fees and implied a knee jerk reaction here should not be taken. Is the University of Ulster trying to play both sides of the fence? A little message saying: we don’t agree with your education policies, but we do like your attitudes about the BBC?

At the very least, in the name of integrity posthumous Honours might have also been given to Dr Kelly himself for his sacrifice in life and death. A man whose name deserves to be remembered with dignity. Granted, while perhaps not directly connected to Northern Ireland, quickly running through the former honorary role would reveal that little connection is actually necessary in this PR exercise.