Fears Bristol Uni’s investigation into ‘end Zionism’ professor could be a ‘sham’

The Board of Deputies has called for Bristol’s “pawns of Israel” professor to be suspended from his post as the investigation into his conduct rumbles on with no clear end date in sight.

Prof David Miller, a Bristol sociology lecturer, caused widespread outrage after labelling the university Jewish Society “pawns of Israel” and calling for an “end to Zionism.”

The leading academic institution opened a probe into Miller more than 150 days ago – and now Board of Deputies president, Marie van der Zyl, has called for him to be suspended as the probe is ongoing.

The call comes after it was reported that Miller is set to teach two modules next year, something Bristol refused to confirm, citing confidentiality.

“Mr Miller must be suspended from his position while the investigation into his conduct is ongoing,” wrote van der Zyl in a letter to the university’s vice-chancellor, Hugh Brady.

“Failure to do so will cause the UK Jewish community to assume that either the university is not taking the behaviour exhibited by Mr Miller seriously or, perhaps even worse, that this entire investigation is a sham.”

The Board president also called for a meeting with Bristol’s top boss, Vice Chancellor Hugh Brady, “to better understand the timeline for this disciplinary process”.

Miller was defended by a group calling itself the Support David Miller campaign, which issued an inflammatory claim that “both the UJS and Bristol JSoc exist to whitewash Zionist colonisation of Palestine.”

Bristol has consistently refused to comment on the probe into the professor, saying it cannot discuss details with any third parties, including media.

“We also appreciate there is a great deal of public interest in this matter,” said a spokesperson last week.

“However, we cannot jeopardise the integrity and rigour of what is a confidential process by discussing it with the media or third parties.”

Today the university told Jewish News it would respond to the letter, before referring to its previous statements.