The vice-chancellor of the University of Manchester has issued a public apology over an alleged “racial profiling” incident which occurred earlier this week.
It comes after video footage emerged online showing Mr Adan held up against a wall at halls of residence in Fallowfield by security guards who demanded to see his ID during an incident in which Mr Adan said he was accused of “looking like a drug dealer”.
First speaking on the incident, Mr Adan – a first year French and Linguistics student at the university who moved to the UK from Italy a few years ago – said he had been left “traumatised” after being stopped upon returning to his halls of residence from visiting a local shop and asked to present his identification.
“The next thing I know I was being pinned up against the wall”, he said.
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Mr Adan continued: “There was no conversation. They just pinned me up against the wall and said I looked like a drug dealer.
“Why? Because I am black and wearing a hoodie?”
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The University of Manchester has since confirmed the suspension of the security officers involved in the incident.
We are deeply concerned by images circulating online (involving one of our students and security staff).
We have spoken to the student concerned, launched a full investigation and have suspended the security officers (without prejudice) pending the results of this investigation.
Now, vice-chancellor Dame Nancy Rothwell confirmed she had written to Mr Adan to apologise.
During her BBC Newsnight appearance, Dame Nancy said: “I was very, very concerned by it, I’ve apologised to the student for the distress that he felt.
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“I immediately suspended the staff and there is now an investigation ongoing.”
Mr Adan said earlier this week that he wanted to talk to university leaders about the incident, and although Dame Nancy declared that she would “consider” meeting with Mr Adan in person, she stated that she could not “commit” to meeting him at this moment in time as “that could influence the investigation” as part of the ongoing enquiry.
She also added that she “won’t meet with the security staff either”.
Dame Nancy confirmed that Mr Adan “has met with several of our staff” following the incident and stated that he has also been offered counselling by the University.
News
Glitzy Spinningfields bar famed for its bottomless deals shuts down
Daisy Jackson
Popular cocktail bar group Banyan has suddenly closed its glitzy bar in the heart of Spinningfields.
The restaurant and bar, which is part of the Arc Inspirations group that also operates Manahatta and Box, has shut down with immediate effect.
A sign has been posted in the window of the Spinningfields site of Banyan confirming its closure.
Banyan opened in 2018 and was the second site for the brand, which has been operating out of the Corn Exchange since 2015.
Inside, the huge 7,000sq ft space was split into spaces for drinking, dining and dancing, including a large mezzanine and a huge white marble bar.
Banyan is famed for its bottomless deals, whether that’s a classic bottomless brunch or their bottomless Sunday roast (endless Yorkshire puddings, gravy, wine, and roast potatoes).
It also offered two-for-one cocktails, all day every day.
The bar stands on the side of Spinningfields, directly opposite The Ivy and alongside The Alchemist.
Banyan in Spinningfields has shut downThe note in the window of Banyan
But now it has permanently closed its doors, thanking people for their custom over its almost-decade in Manchester.
The sign on the door says: “Banyan Spinningfields is now permanently closed.
“Thank you so much for your custom over the years, we’ve loved being part of this wonderful city and have made so many friends.
“Don’t be a stranger, we’d love to continue to welcome you to our Banyan bar in the Corn Exchange. Team Banyan.”
Council seized £4.3m worth of counterfeit goods from Manchester’s streets in 2025
Emily Sergeant
A whopping £4.3 million of counterfeit goods were seized from Manchester’s streets in 2025, the Council has revealed.
Now that 2025 has come to end, Manchester City Council has announced that its Trading Standards Team seized and destroyed more than 43,500 counterfeit items in the last year – ranging from everything like fake handbags, trainers, and jewellery, to electronic items, sportswear, children’s toys, sunglasses, and much more.
Through ‘exemplary partnership work’ with Greater Manchester Police (GMP), the Council says this criminal industry has taken a ‘substantial hit’ over the past 12 months.
It’s also estimated that the goods seized would have lost the industry up to £43 million.
Councillor Lee-Ann Igbon, who is the Executive Member for Vibrant Neighbourhoods at Manchester City Council, said the Council hopes this action ‘sends a message that we will not tolerate this harmful trade.’
The Council seized £4.3m worth of counterfeit goods from Manchester’s streets in 2025 / Credit: GMP
“The counterfeit industry was substantially embedded in our communities, but through their diligence and the support of our valued partners we have driven away some of the worst offenders and are beginning the process of regenerating the areas of Manchester that were long blighted by this sort of crime,” she added.
It’s not just counterfeit goods that’ve been targeted either, as a substantial push was also made throughout the year to crack-down on the sale and distribution of illicit tobacco.
In total, 316,625 cigarettes – which is equivalent to nearly 16,000 individual packs – were seized by the Council and police.
258kg of hand rolling tobacco was also seized, as well as more than 18,000 illegal vapes that don’t comply with UK laws or regulations.
Detective Chief Inspector Melanie Johnson, who is the lead coordinator of Operation Machinize for GMP, says the police takes any information it receives about counterfeit trading ‘very seriously’.
“We will continue to investigate all aspects of this criminality to protect our communities from the harms of illegal products.”
The Manc -
20th November 2020 
