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Top UK Poetry Prof Refuses to Step Down

Oxford academic in brouhaha over sex allegation against rival

By Drew Nelles, Newser Staff

Posted May 24, 2009 5:00 PM CDT

(Newser) – The first woman to hold Britain's highest academic post in poetry refuses to resign despite
an uproar over whether she ran a dirty election campaign, reviving decades-old sexual harassment claims against her main rival, Nobel laureate Derek Walcott, the Guardian reports. Oxford Professor of Poetry-elect Ruth Padel admits she pointed two journalists to a book called The Lecherous Professor, which detailed claims against Walcott, but denies sending anonymous letters to Oxford professors reminding them of the allegations.

Three days after the mailing, Walcott withdrew, saying the race had "degenerated into a low and degrading attempt at character assassination." Now prominent figures are calling for Padel to quit. “She would be wise to recuse herself and ask for the whole thing to begin again,” broadcaster Clive James said.

[Images (2)]

[Quotes (3)]

Ruth Padel is pictured. Padel admitted to sending damaging emails about her rival for a top poetry post to journalists. (AP Photo/Sang Tan)

"The details I passed on were in the public domain and were a source of genuine unease to [a student], and I communicated them to two journalists who had asked to be kept informed," Padel says. (AP Photo / Sang Tan)

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Nothing I have done caused Derek Walcott to pull out of the election and I wish he had not. - Ruth Padel

I think she should step down, and if she doesn't—and it looks as though she's keen to stay on—Oxford should look into it. - AC Grayling, Birkbeck professor of philosophy

Some of my supporters add that what he does for students can be found in a book called The Lecherous Professor...and that Obama is rumoured to have turned him down for his inauguration poem because of the sexual record. - Padel's email to journalists

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Oxford Poetry Prof Resigns

First female to nab top post reverses earlier decision amid smear campaign accusations

(NEWSER) - The first woman to hold one of the UK’s top poetry posts has reversed direction and announced her resignation amid accusations that she ran a smear campaign against a rival, the Telegraph reports. Ruth Padel stepped down as the Oxford Professor of Poetry today but maintained she acted in “good faith” in telling reporters about a book detailing sexual harassment accusations against Nobel laureate Derek Walcott. More»

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Top UK Poetry Prof Refuses to Step Down