University rector reinstated to ruling body after row

The rector of St Andrews University, who was removed from her role on its governing body over a dispute with management, has been reinstated after she changed her stance on governance rules.

Stella Maris was ousted as president of the university's court in January after what St Andrews called a refusal to follow its rules on "collective responsibility".

Prominent lawyer Lord Keen of Elie, who was asked to look at the decision, said he would quash the ruling if Maris was prepared to make an "unqualified undertaking" that she would reverse her position.

Maris was reinstated last week after she gave the university a written statement to be formally bound by collective responsibility as a member of the court.

Maris was previously removed from the university court in August 2024 over comments she made on the Israel-Gaza war but won an appeal nine months later.

She had sent an email to all students referring to "genocidal attacks" by the Israeli government shortly after she was elected in October 2023.

An investigation found she had "breached her responsibilities" to students, but Maris said it set a "dangerous precedent for freedom of speech".

She appealed against her dismissal as president of the university court and the chancellor of the university ruled in her favour.

Her second dismissal, in January, came after Maris objected to a series of planned changes to the make-up of the institution's governing body.

The university court claimed that the rector "refused to accept she was bound by collective responsibility" and said Maris thought she "should have absolute discretion" over all aspects of the management of its meetings.

Lord Keen's ruling says the decision to remove the elected rector from the university court was a step which should only be taken if no other reasonable option was available.

He said he considered that the rector was bound by collective responsibility as a member of the court and if Maris was willing to accept that for the remainder of her term in office he would quash the previous decision to remove her.

Maris - a former St Andrews student - will retain the title and office of rector until her term expires in October 2026.