The University of Manchester (UoM) has apologised after allegations the n-word was used by staff in lectures and seminars earlier this year.
After a group of students, named UoM Black Students Matter, published an open later claiming the city’s largest university allows members of its staff to “say the n-word” during lecturers and seminars, the University of Manchester has confirmed that those exposed to racist language have now been “personally apologised to”.
Shortly after the claims were made back in February, the University said it had “been made aware” of the open letter and was investigating the matter “as a priority”.
Published on 13 February, UoM Black Students Matter’s letter detailed a number of alleged instances in which the n-word was used during education contact hours – which the group said caused “distress to black students”.
Allegations referred to in the open later, and the walk-outs staged as a result, largely referred to the French Department at UoM and lecturer Dr Barbara Lebrun in particular.
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University of Manchester apologises to students for ‘racist language’ used by staff / Credit: University of Manchester
With the investigation into the matter now believed to be complete, UoM has confirmed that personal apologies have been issued after having “positively engaged with students”, according to the MEN.
Addressing the claims, a University of Manchester spokesperson said: “The University has been positively engaged with students through direct meetings and discussions in relation to concerns regarding the Department of Modern Languages and Cultures.
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“These actions are helping us to establish how we might review and address these issues, a process that has already commenced.
“Senior staff have personally apologised to students on the course units in question who were exposed to racist language, and for the lack of sensitivity displayed in discussions of topics such as racism, racial representations and colonialism.”
The institution says it’s committed to creating a “safe space” for all / Credit: Wikimedia Commons
UoM says it is “committed to creating a safe, inclusive and respectful environment for all our students”, and apologises that “this has not been the case in this instance”.
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“We will be working with our SU representatives, the University’s Equality Diversity and Inclusion team and external providers,” the statement continues.
“We would also like to continue to collaborate with students in our ongoing review process.”
Featured Image – University of Manchester
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Manchester Airport issues update for anyone flying today after hundreds of cancellations yesterday
Emily Sergeant
Manchester Airport has issued an update for anyone catching a flight today after hundreds of cancellations yesterday.
In case you hadn’t heard, hundreds of flights at several major UK airports – including Manchester Airport – were disrupted by a technical fault at air traffic control provider National Air Traffic Services (NATS) yesterday (8 September 2026), with the incident grounding planes and resulting in numerous cancellations.
According to Flightradar24, more than 1,000 flights were cancelled nationwide, and many passengers were told to expect disruption for the rest of the day.
One of the worst-affected airlines was said to be Ryanair, with around 65,000 passengers affected by the cancellations and delays.
Manchester Airport issued its first statement addressing the matter at 3:15pm yesterday, stating: “We are aware of an issue affecting NATS’ air traffic control service at UK airports, which may result in delays to some departing flights from Manchester Airport today.
“Passengers due to travel are advised to check the latest status of their flight with their airline. We will continue to monitor the situation and share further updates as more information becomes available.”
Now, although the issue has been resolved, Manchester Airport has issued further statements informing anyone travelling today what they can expect.
The airport started off by saying that it is ‘operating as normal’ today, but that passengers are advised to ‘check with their airline for the latest information’.
“A full flight schedule is expected to operate [today] but the airport may be busier due to rescheduled flights,” it added.
Passengers were then thanked for their ‘patience and understanding’ over the past 24 hours.
Featured Image – Ivan Shimko (via Unsplash)
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Hundreds of staff at four Greater Manchester hospitals to strike AGAIN next week
Emily Sergeant
Another round of strikes has been called at a handful of major Greater Manchester hospitals.
Amid ongoing disputes following the first set of strikes at the end of last month, it has now been announced that more than 350 Northern Care Alliance Foundation Trust (NCA) employees – including nurses, clinical support workers and housekeepers – who are members of the union UNISON will once again walk out for three days next week.
According to the union, the dispute centres on the NCA’s use of an outside agency called NHS Professionals (NHSP) to manage overtime.
When covering staff shortages, workers are entitled to time-and-a-half pay – however in some cases, staff earn less than they would on a normal shift, and some have even been missing out on more than £80 per shift, the union added.
Operating theatre staff were previously on picket lines in June, and although an option to resolve the row was initially tabled by NCA bosses, this has now fallen through.
Hundreds of staff at four of Greater Manchester’s hospitals are set to strike next week / Credit: Stephen Andrews (via Unsplash)
This means that staff at Salford Royal Hospital, Royal Oldham Hospital, Rochdale Infirmary, and Fairfield Hospital in Bury are walking out next week on Monday 14, Tuesday 15, and Thursday 17 September.
The union’s North West regional organiser, Kevin Dolan, said the trust had given ‘no indication’ that it’s willing to re-enter negotiations, adding that operating theatre services were ‘chronically under-staffed’ and staff were choosing to work extra shifts to cover shortages.
Ahead of the August strikes, the trust declared a critical incident to help it secure extra support and keep urgent surgery running, while also announcing that some procedures would have to be postponed.
Understandably, some disruption is expected at each of the hospitals on strike days.
But Gertie Nic Philib, who is the chief people and strategy officer at the Northern Care Alliance, said that the trust will do ‘everything we can to minimise the impact on patients’ and ‘maintain high standards of care and quality at all times.’
“We also have contingency plans in place for emergency situations,” they concluded.
Emily Sergeant -
2nd May 2023 
