Aberdeen's Robert Gordon University Strips Donald Trump Of His Honorary Degree

Aberdeen's Robert Gordon University Strips Donald Trump Of His Honorary Degree
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File photo dated 8/6/2015 of US presidential hopeful Donald Trump who has attracted widespread derision after claiming that parts of London were
Andrew Milligan/PA Wire

Aberdeen's Robert Gordon University is stripping Donald Trump of his honorary degree after a petition calling for its revocation attracted tens of thousands of signatures.

The Republican US presidential candidate was awarded with a doctorate of business administration in October 2010.

The petition, started by Suzanne Kelly, reached nearly 71,000 and stated: "We feel that Donald Trump's unrepentant, persistent verbal attacks on various groups of people based on nationality, religion, race and physical abilities are a huge detriment to RGU. Hate speech must not have a place in academia, in politics or on the world stage. We are confident RGU will agree with the petitioners, and act swiftly."

A statement released by the university read: "In 2010 Robert Gordon University awarded an honorary DBA to Mr Donald Trump, in recognition of his achievements as an entrepreneur and businessman.

"In the course of the current US election campaign, Mr Trump has made a number of statements that are wholly incompatible with the ethos and values of the university. The university has therefore decided to revoke its award of the honorary degree."