Police reportedly investigating David Miller for hate crime while Bristol University’s claim that he’s on ‘sick leave’ undermined by his ongoing public activism

Police are reportedly investigating Prof. David Miller for a hate crime over recent inflammatory comments that he made about Jewish students.

Prof. Miller, a conspiracist whom Campaign Against Antisemitism has been monitoring for years, recently added to his record of inflammatory comments about the Jewish community with the assertion that “Zionism is racism” and a declaration that his objective is “to end Zionism as a functioning ideology of the world”. Most egregiously, he also suggested that Jewish students, by virtue of being Zionist, “encourage Islamophobia and anti-Arab racism”.

Prof. Miller’s comments and the University’s reaction have been the subject of a great deal of attention from the Jewish community as well as Parliament, including a written question by Lord Austin, an honorary patron of Campaign Against Antisemitism.

Campaign Against Antisemitism has been providing ongoing support to students at Bristol.

Avon and Somerset Police confirmed the investigation into “a hate crime or hate incident taking place during lectures at the University of Bristol,” adding: “We have recently been made aware of a number of incidents that may constitute a hate crime or hate incident taking place during lectures at the University of Bristol. We take issues such as these very seriously. An email was circulated to student groups last week asking people to speak to the police regarding their experiences. Our investigation is at an early stage and enquiries are ongoing to establish if any offences have been committed. Our aim is to help everyone to feel safe and supported while studying in Bristol and we are working closely with the university at this time. Anyone with information that can assist us should contact 101 and give reference 5221036233.”

Recently, the University of Bristol confirmed that it too was investigating Prof. Miller. It apparently also told students that he is on “sick leave absence”, with students being reassigned personal tutors and waiting double the time to have their work marked. However, it has now emerged that Prof. Miller has sustained his public activism and appearances. For example, he apparently spoke this week at the Third International Conference on Islamophobia, in which he was introduced by Sami Al-Arian, who was previously convicted in the United States after pleading guilty to one count of conspiracy for contributing services for the benefit of the antisemitic terrorist group, Islamic Jihad. Prof. Miller was reportedly seen coughing at the online event.

A University spokesperson reportedly told The Bristol Tab: “It is not appropriate for the University to make any comment on this matter while the investigation we have already referred to in previous statements is underway.”

Campaign Against Antisemitism monitors the adoption of the International Definition of Antisemitism by universities.

If any students are concerned about antisemitism on campus or need assistance, they can call us on 0330 822 0321, or e-mail [email protected].