University of Manchester Board backs Nancy Rothwell despite students’ vote of no confidence
The University of Manchester Board of Governors has confirmed it will stick by President Nancy Rothwell and fellow leaders despite a student referendum resulting in a vote of 'no confidence' last week.
The University of Manchester Board of Governors has confirmed it will stick by President Nancy Rothwell and fellow leaders despite a student referendum resulting in a vote of ‘no confidence’ last week.
UoM Students’ Union facilitated an all-student referendum in March – with results showing that 89% had no confidence in senior staff.
But the University Board responded with a statement that said Governors backed the leadership team “unanimously” and had “full confidence in them to lead the University forward.”
Governors pointed out that the turnout of the vote was “13% of our student population”.
Student protest group UoM Rent Strike, however, claimed the number of votes was “double what it was this point last year”.
Rothwell has come in for extreme criticism from students since the start of the pandemic.
Her decade-long tenure as President has been brought into disrepute following a series of incidents throughout the autumn and winter – including conflicts over rent and the installation of ‘prison’ fences around Fallowfield campus (which were subsequently torn down by students).
Rothwell was also forced to make a public apology in November after an incident in which a student was pushed up against a wall by security staff for “looking like a drug dealer”.
Students tore down fencing at Fallowfield campus in November 2020 / Image: @BenMcGowan_
The Student Union organised the recent referendum following a petition from disgruntled students who claimed that Rothwell’s position was “completely untenable”.
But UoM Governors maintained that Rothwell was the right person for the role, having “led the University with vision, compassion and distinction for the past 10 years.”
The Board said it “recognised that students have not had the experience they would have hoped for and have had to deal with unprecedented, difficult and rapidly changing circumstances.”
It added that whilst senior leaders “haven’t got everything right…they have led from the front by apologising and have always taken action to ensure lessons are learnt and improvements are made.”
Some students accused the university of “ignoring the referendum”.
In the aftermath of the result, the ‘Nancy Out’ campaign – a group dedicated to the removal of Rothwell and her senior management team – claimed that the leaders had “failed the students for the last time, now it is clear that students will fight for democracy and accountability.”
The University said it would be focusing on “delivering the best learning experience possible and supporting the wellbeing of our students, staff and wider local community.”
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Chester Zoo’s viral new snow leopard cub ventures outside for the first time
Emily Sergeant
Chester Zoo’s adorable baby snow leopard who went viral last week could very well be about to go viral again.
That’s because new footage of it venturing outside for the first time have been released.
After arriving to first-time parents Nubra and Yashin, who are both three-years-old, last month (10 June 2025), keepers at Chester Zoo said mum and cub had mostly spent their time quietly tucked away in a cosy den, away from the eyes of the onlooking public – but now, it’s time for the little one to see what the outside world is all about.
Now, at seven-weeks old, the cub has gained in strength and confidence, and experts expected that it could venture outside at ‘any moment’.
Zookeepers are still yet to confirm the sex of the cub, and will be able to do soon once it has undergone its first health check-up with the vets.
We can also expect to hear one the little one’s name is very soon too.
If you’re unfamiliar with snow leopards, they are classed as vulnerable to extinction by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), and it’s believed there are as few as 4,000 now remaining in the wild.
Nicknamed the ‘ghosts of the mountains’, these elusive – but adorable – big cats are found in the rugged, remote regions of Central Asia and the Himalayas – but sadly, despite being known for living in desolate, harsh environments, they continue to face threats from habitat loss, climate change, poaching, and retaliatory killings by farmers.
Chester Zoo’s viral new snow leopard cub ventures outside for the first time / Credit: Chester Zoo
The cub’s birth follows the opening of Chester Zoo’s Himalayan habitat in May 2024, which is a vast, rocky environment that authentically recreates the mountainous terrain of Central Asia.
“This is the first snow leopard cub to be born at Chester Zoo,” commented Dave Hall, who is the Team Manager of carnivores at Chester Zoo, last week when the adorable hidden den cam footage was first released to the public.
“It’s a truly historic moment and a real cause for celebration – not just for our teams here, but also for the future of this magnificent species globally.”
Although it’s still early days, carnivore experts at the zoo say Nubra is showing ‘excellent maternal instincts’ by nursing her new arrival every few hours and always keeping close by.
Featured Image – Chester Zoo
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Rochdale man, 20, found guilty of assaulting police officers and the public at Manchester Airport
Emily Sergeant
A man from Rochdale has been found guilty of assaulting a man and two female police officers at Manchester Airport last year.
20-year-old Mohammed Fahir Amaaz has been convicted of common assault and two counts of actual bodily harm following a four-week trial at Liverpool Crown Court in relation to a high-profile incident that took place at Manchester Airport on 23 July 2024.
The first attack on the member of public – of which extensive footage of was shared with the court over the course of the trail – took place in a largely public area of the Airport, but despite claims made to the contrary, Greater Manchester Police‘s (GMP) investigation found no evidence of any ‘prior threatening’ or ‘unacceptable behaviour’ by the victim aimed towards Amaaz or his family.
Three GMP officers – one male and two female – responded to the initial assault, and as they proceeded to detain and arrest Amaaz at the Terminal 2 car park pay station for assault, they suffered a number of injuries – such as concussion, a broken nose, and bruising and swelling.
CCTV played to the jury during the trail showed Amaaz throwing 10 punches, two ‘elbow strikes’, and one kick in what was described as a ‘prolonged and violent’ attack.
This conviction follows a thorough investigation of all available footage to understand the full context to the incident.
Our officers have been supported throughout and continue to be supported.
— Greater Manchester Police (@gmpolice) July 30, 2025
An investigation, led by a team from GMP’s Serious Crime Division, was subsequently launched following the incident.
Police were said to have worked ‘diligently and expediently’ through all the moving footage, including CCTV and body worn camera recordings, complemented by the testimonies of witnesses to the incident, which allowed them to present a clear and accurate picture of the facts of the events to the jury.
A jury convicted Amaaz of assaults on the two female officers, but a decision is still inconclusive regarding the incident with the male police officer.
GMP now says it will be working with the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) in support of a re-trial for these inconclusive counts.
A CCTV image of the brawl in action / Credit: CPS
“Whilst assaults on police officers are sadly not uncommon, such attacks can never be justified,” commented Sir Stephen Watson, who is the Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police, following the trial.
“Our officers are decent people who routinely place themselves in harm’s way to protect the public, and they deserve our respect and support.
“I am particularly grateful to those many members of the public who have contacted the force in order to pass on their best wishes to the officers affected.”
The Manc -
14th March 2021 
