Sorry for the long delay in updating here but we finally have some movement and it was predictable. My Barrister told me that in order to be allowed file a claim in Court we have to first exhaust all other avenues of appeal outside of Court or the Court would ignore your case and tell you to go and appeal. This meant all internal appeals, all of which I lost. Also, since the case of R (Zahid) v The University of Manchester [2017] EWHC 188 there's also been a requirement to appeal to the Office of the Independent Adjudicator. Sadly, I don't think the name represents the body. We fought hard but lost again.  I'll give you some of the highlights from the decision:

First they found my complaint to be 'Not Justified' - with such comments like these to justify it:

"Given the complaints against Mr Walsh, we consider that it was reasonable to conclude that his means of expression had been perceived as offensive to other students – in particular, to students from a specific cultural and religious practice and in the context that the discussions took place, namely within a classroom setting. And we can see that in reaching a decision the Committee and the Panel had regard for the University’s definition of “harassment” as: “…unwanted conduct that violates a person’s dignity or creates an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating, or offensive environment…” And that: “…it is not the intention of the alleged harasser that determines whether harassment has occurred, but whether it is considered unacceptable to the complainant…” (emphasis added). In the Appeal Outcome the Panel explained that this definition was designed to align with relevant UK law and to: “…enable the University to regulate its community so that students could study and relax in a secure environment, and to prevent improper interference with…academic activities…”

They take into account the 'University's definition of 'harassment', not the legal definition, which states its not the intention of the harasser that matters but if the complainant feels it is unacceptable. So, intention and context are irrelevant here! 

At one stage in the OIA complaint, the University asserted this terrifying use of language in relation to the condition that I have to attend a 'diversity training course' and sign an undertaking of future good conduct:

"Their purpose was, and remains, to ameliorate the impact of Mr Walsh’s language and behaviour on others, to the point where the University would be duly critical of those others if his entitlement to express himself was not appropriately respected. "

I had to look that word up! “Ameliorate /əˈmiːlɪəreɪt/ verb: make (something bad or unsatisfactory) better.” I simply cannot follow the suggestion made that I must be reprogrammed before the University would offer to protect my views. This arrogance entirely displays the University's attitude towards views they perceive to be ‘bad or unsatisfactory’. My views were neither, simply contrary to the left-wing orthodoxy and no amount of four-dollar words will mollify that. This entire submission is designed to confusticate and misdirect a reader from an incredibly simple case of unlawful censorship. 

I'm going to try and throw together a document of all the exchanges between me and them so you can see exactly how out of touch they really are and worst still, they believe they are right, without question! 

As much as I was expecting to lose, it hurts to know that another institution, put in place to protect students from oppressive universities has supported obviously unlawful censorship! I'm just one young man against what feels like an entire system rigged to crush people like me from talking out. Not this time! 

Now they appeal has concluded it's time to issue in Court and as a result of that we will need to get this Crowdfunder going again so please donate, share, inform and pass this to your friends because the students of today are the lawmakers of tomorrow!

Dear All Kind Backers!

I just wanted to update you as regards what is happening with my case. So far, the money raised is in an escrow account with my lawyers and I can't touch it and it will only be used in conjunction with my case (incase you were worried). 

The next thing is due to the nature of judicial review, it has to be a 'Court of Last Instance, namely I have to exhaust all internal appeals first before I can even launch my claim or the Court would just say "go back and appeal properly". So, So I've now done that. No surprises for how far I got. 

My barrister has also told me the Court will adjourn the case so that I can go through 'mediation' at the Office of the Independent Adjudicator'  - as per the case of R (Zahid) v University of Manchester [2017] EWHC 188 (Admin) - which is where we are now with a conclusion on our way. 

UCLAN has made some remarkable submission in those proceedings and I can't wait to share them with you but until everything is on track it would prejudice the case to give the opposition my inside plan! I know they are watching! Let's show them what we think of Censorship! The bigger my war chest the better my chances of success. I'm just a student (well was!) after all so please keep giving generously. I won't let you down. 

Everything is going to plan, sorry for the delay, the Courts are slow but I'm still fighting this with everything I've got!

Thank you all again and speak soon! 

We've already hit our first target meaning I can get started in instructing my barrister to commence the case! I must thank you all so so so much for all the support you have given me. It is deeply humbling to know that so many people, from around the world, feel so passionate about this cause. I now know that I stand a chance against the establishment and you are all to thank for helping the underdog in this fight! 

And fight I will! I am not going to let this go until we have sent a message to all universities that we will not allow free speech to be trampled. 

I'm going to be keeping this page updated with all of my progress and legal documents that are submitted for everyone to see. There is still a long way to go between now and the proceedings and I've set an ambitious stretch target but at least we have enough to get going! 

If not for the people on the front lines of the culture war you all may never have even heard of me so a special thank you to Carl Benjamin (aka Sargon of Akkad) who not only promoted me on his video but also gave a very generous donation. 

Thank you to each and everyone one of you, you truly are the guardians of free speech. 

Oh my god! This appeal has bearly started and we've already raised so much! Thank you for your generosity and belief in freedom of speech. I have read every motivational comment and while what lies ahead of me seems daunting I am encouraged by the sheer amount of people who believe in this cause. 

I am so grateful to everyone, regardless of where you heard about me but a special thanks has to go to Young Independence who donated a symbolic '£1984' to remind us that for George Orwell's dystopia to become a reality, good people need only do nothing.   

Another big thank you to Markus Meechan (aka Count Dankula), who has helped signal boost this cause to as many of his Youtube viewers as possible. You are a hero!

If we meet the target I am going to push this all the way. Me and my legal team will make as much noise about free speech as possible so please help keep the momentum going and like and share this page to as many people as you can! 

Thanks!