RCGP revokes honour given to Sultan of Brunei
The Sultan of Brunei, who introduced death by stoning for gay people this month (Christopher Furlong/Getty)
The Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) has revoked an honour given to the Sultan of Brunei following draconian anti-gay laws being introduced in the country.
A unanimous vote to withdraw the Sultan’s honour took place during a meeting of the College’s Trustee Board on April 17.
Professor Nigel Mathers, Chair of the Trustee Board, said: “The fact that we convened an extraordinary meeting of Trustees shows how seriously the College is taking this issue.
“We can confirm that robust governance procedures have been followed and that the decision of the Trustee Board was unanimous on the withdrawal of the honour and on the decision over the name of the auditorium.”
Sultan of Brunei, who introduced death by stoning for gay people earlier this month (AFP/Getty)
College Chair, Prof Helen Stokes-Lampard, wrote to the Sultan of Brunei last week, urging him to reverse the laws that carry penalties including stoning and flogging to death on the grounds of sexuality.
She said: “Persecuting or punishing people based on their sexuality is completely unacceptable, and completely contravenes everything that the College stands for. This has been an incredibly upsetting time for everyone – not least for our wonderful LGBTQ+ community of doctors, staff, and patients.”
University of Aberdeen
The RCGP followed news on April 17 that the University of Aberdeen has revoked an honoary degree given to the Sultan of Brunei Hassanal Bolkiah, in what was described as “unprecedented.”
The university confirmed the step after the Sultan imposed the new penal code which introduces the death penalty for homosexual acts.
Other UK universities have faced pressure to rescind honours lavished upon the Sultan of Brunei, who is an unelected dictator.
King’s College London and the University of Oxford have both also said they will review honoary degrees given to the Commonwealth country’s leader.
“We will reconsider this decision throughout established process in light of the information now available,” read a statement from the University of Oxford.
