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| Trinity Hall: Cambridge college head 'steps back' over handling of sex complaints | Trinity Hall: Cambridge college head 'steps back' over handling of sex complaints |
| (about 5 hours later) | |
| The head of a Cambridge college has stepped back from his duties after allegations he mishandled a series of sexual misconduct complaints. | The head of a Cambridge college has stepped back from his duties after allegations he mishandled a series of sexual misconduct complaints. |
| Dr Jeremy Morris, the master of Trinity Hall, has agreed to move aside while an internal review into procedures is under way. | Dr Jeremy Morris, the master of Trinity Hall, has agreed to move aside while an internal review into procedures is under way. |
| It comes after both students and staff were accused of misconduct in recent years. | It comes after both students and staff were accused of misconduct in recent years. |
| Trinity Hall said the decision was subject to further consultation. | Trinity Hall said the decision was subject to further consultation. |
| Dr Morris has come under pressure since the BBC found an academic who had been accused of sexually harassing 10 students had retained some college privileges because of an internal error. | Dr Morris has come under pressure since the BBC found an academic who had been accused of sexually harassing 10 students had retained some college privileges because of an internal error. |
| Dr Peter Hutchinson later resigned from Trinity Hall in November 2019 after more than 1,300 staff and students protested that he had been allowed to keep his post. | Dr Peter Hutchinson later resigned from Trinity Hall in November 2019 after more than 1,300 staff and students protested that he had been allowed to keep his post. |
| It emerged this week that he had published an erotic novel about students the year nearly a dozen complaints of harassment had been made against him. | It emerged this week that he had published an erotic novel about students the year nearly a dozen complaints of harassment had been made against him. |
| The BBC learned at least three staff had also left the college with "serious" concerns over how the situation had been handled. | The BBC learned at least three staff had also left the college with "serious" concerns over how the situation had been handled. |
| This week, Dr Morris was accused of mishandling multiple complaints of sexual assault brought by female students against a male student, who denied the allegations, according to an investigation by the Tortoise news website. | This week, Dr Morris was accused of mishandling multiple complaints of sexual assault brought by female students against a male student, who denied the allegations, according to an investigation by the Tortoise news website. |
| Dr Morris is also alleged to have allowed a senior member of academic staff to remain in his job for five months without any restrictions on his role after he was accused of sexual assault by a student. | Dr Morris is also alleged to have allowed a senior member of academic staff to remain in his job for five months without any restrictions on his role after he was accused of sexual assault by a student. |
| The senior academic staff member - who strongly denies the allegations, which were reported to police with no further action - has now agreed to temporarily withdraw from his duties, Trinity Hall said in a statement. | The senior academic staff member - who strongly denies the allegations, which were reported to police with no further action - has now agreed to temporarily withdraw from his duties, Trinity Hall said in a statement. |
| 'Deeply distressed' | 'Deeply distressed' |
| Current and former students have expressed scepticism over Dr Morris' decision to step back, with one telling the BBC they have "no faith" in the college's current processes. | Current and former students have expressed scepticism over Dr Morris' decision to step back, with one telling the BBC they have "no faith" in the college's current processes. |
| Over 500 Cambridge students, staff and alumni have signed an open letter calling for Dr Morris to resign. | Over 500 Cambridge students, staff and alumni have signed an open letter calling for Dr Morris to resign. |
| The mother of one of the alleged victims has called on Dr Morris to resign entirely for failing to make the "safeguarding of the young people under [his] care the most important priority," in an open letter published by Varsity, Cambridge's student newspaper. | The mother of one of the alleged victims has called on Dr Morris to resign entirely for failing to make the "safeguarding of the young people under [his] care the most important priority," in an open letter published by Varsity, Cambridge's student newspaper. |
| Rory Kent, 23, a Trinity Hall alumnus who recently chaired a student meeting at the college, said the community has been "deeply distressed" by recent events. | |
| Follow Rianna @The_Crox | Follow Rianna @The_Crox |