University launches probe into staff leaks to animal activists
Oxford University has launched an internal investigation into how private staff contact details were leaked to animal rights activists intent on preventing the building of the new animal laboratory on South Parks Road. Animal rights groups have redoubled intimidation against students and employees of Oxford University in an attempt to extract information about the developments of the laboratory.
The Oxford Student has learnt that home addresses of staff and even job applicants have been secured by activists, as reports suggest the University is prefabricating the remainder of the £18m research building at a secret location for security reasons. The University has now urged anybody receiving letters purporting to be from the ‘Oxford University Information Appeal’ to contact the University Security Services immediately.
It has emerged that several people, including individuals who had unsuccessfully applied for administration posts at the university, have in recent weeks been sent letters signed ‘Colleen Bakemore’ which request information about the University’s use of animals in research. Colin Blakemore is Chief Executive of the Medical Research Council.
The letter stated: “I am asking for information on contractors working on the new laboratory, individuals involved with the new laboratory, information on the locations and activities of any existing laboratories or breeding facilities and any information, no matter how sketchy, you have related to animal research.
?? The Oxford Student understands that some college lodges are now taking steps to warn students of the potential dangers posed by animal rights groups, although most were unwilling to discuss the measures publicly for security reasons. The latest threat to the university comes after Montpellier, the building contractors on the project, pulled out last year after its directors and some of its sub-contractors were targeted by protesters.
It has now been reported that the University, backed by government money, will construct most of the research laboratory offsite to stop those opposed to animal testing from delaying the building process any further. This comes after Lord Sainsbury, the Science Minister, met vice-chancellors from top research universities to offer help in providing security for controversial laboratories.
In a further twist to the ongoing animal lab saga, a senior Oxford scientist, who requested to remain anonymous, told this newspaper there was widespread discontent amongst the academic community that the South Parks site was being constructed at all.
He claimed the new site did not add to the university’s capacity for animal research but simply centralised existing sites: “Many people didn’t want a centralised animal facility because they felt it was a provocation to animal rights extremists, especially when a building of this type is placed on a main road.
?? The same source also revealed the extent of the harassment that those involved with the site have faced: “The managing director of Montpellier had a note sent to all his neighbours incorrectly claiming that he was a convicted paedophile, and the company’s offices were trashed.” Extremists also threatened to put excrement through the letterboxes of individuals involved with the laboratory and to throw bricks through their windows.
A pattern of sustained intimidation in Oxford by fringe groups of animal rights activists is now becoming evident. At a recent public meeting in Oxford to debate the merits of the new research centre, a man suffering from Parkinson’s disease, who wanted to show how research on animals had helped him control his disease, was told to “roll over and die” by animal rights activists, it was reported in the national press.
Mike Robins, who was treated by an Oxford University surgeon, was faced with shouts of “nazi” as he demonstrated how pioneering research carried out on animals allowed him to ‘switch off’ his tremors. Animal Rights organisation SPEAK, who have recently conducted several large demonstrations in the city centre, have denied any involvement with the recent letter campaign, insisting that its policy is to encourage its supporters to work within the law.
However, when questioned by this newspaper concerning a £15,000 reward advertised on the SPEAK website to anybody providing information leading to the conviction of an ‘animal abuser’, the organisation declined to comment. A University spokeswoman commented: “Research using animals has made…a vital contribution to the understanding, treatment and cure of a range of major 21st century health problems.
“While new methods have enabled… researchers to reduce work involving animals, some work must continue for further fundamental advances to be made. “The new £18m facility will be one of the best in the country, in terms of animal welfare, offering biomedical research facilities where scientists from a range of departments will be able to share best practice and collaborate more effectively in the future.”
26th May 2005