Douglas Murray: Stephen Toope's reign at Cambridge was an 'unmitigated disaster' | SpectatorTV

Stephen Toope, vice chancellor of Cambridge University, has announced that he will be stepping down in September next year. His time in office has been marred by battles over free speech and disputes about China’s involvement at the institution. Douglas Murray, The Spectator's associate editor, tells us why he’s glad he’s going.
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[@ronpeel1878]

Thank God for Douglas Murray ... a stalwart in support of free speech

[@brundelfly1]

You almost get the impression that Douglas doesn't care for this Mr Toope... A very enjoyable demolition of a thoroughly inept and misguided man though.

[@phoebewashington2709]

"Mr Toope - because that's his Dickensian name" was a truly great burn. Unfortunately, Douglas' wit would be lost on Mr Toope, who probably doesn't know who Dickens is.

[@hittitecharioteer]

@@phoebewashington2709 😐 you are right there.

[@phoebewashington2709]

@Asphodelia D I love the way Douglas says "Mr Toope" as if the very name itself is an insult.

[@stephenarnold6359]

Very. But Murray must guard against using the "Jewel in the crown", which has become a cliche like the footballer's "Cherry on the cake".

[@stephenarnold6359]

Also overuse of lamentable. (mistressed)

[@philippedesaulniers]

"People say they want to spend more time with their families when they know no one else wants to" SAVAGE!

[@booth2710]

probably not even their family as well to tell the truth

[@fjwhbdnehdh]

Not even the pet gerbil

[@schechter01]

😄 Yeah, I got a kick out of that, too

[@luckybag6814]

It’s his family I feel sorry for.

[@catrionamacfarlane4949]

Made me laugh out load......😹 D M is brilliant!

[@biccytrollox]

Douglas Murray would have a very successful career in politics, except for the fact that he tells the truth

[@henryburton6529]

Is this parody

[@floodedcuts101]

He doesn't lie but he has made a terrible mistake telling everyone that an IRA leader was a Nazi. He has yet to correct that mistake.

[@henryburton6529]

@@floodedcuts101 If you are unwilling to correct obvious mistakes I'd suggest you aren't an honest actor

[@anthonybrett]

@@henryburton6529 Yes, I know when anyone I know has an 'opinion' I don't agree with I instantly consider them dishonest... WTF *facepalm*

[@henryburton6529]

@@anthonybrett Is calling an IRA leader a Nazi an opinion? Pretty sure the IRA aren't very close to Nazi's politically. How about if I called you a Nazi? Would that be an honest opinion?

[@vakavanhavainamoinen2221]

Stephen Toope did not even have the grace to exert his malign influence surreptitiously, he pandered to the Chinese in the full glare of publicity. He was not just leading the Long March through the Institutions, he was trooping the Colours on the parade square. Hats off to the formidable Douglas Murray for shining a spotlight on his nefarious activities.

[@macanbhaird1966]

This is from Wikipedia so care with reliability of the source as I cannot readily see the reference they use, but damning if true: "On July 9, 2020, after Freedom of Information requests, Jesus College admitted it had accepted £200,000 for the Dialogue Centre from a branch of the Chinese State Council, £55,000 from another branch for the China Centre and £150,000 from Huawei for the digital report. Until then, not even the Fellows of Jesus College - the governing body - had been informed."

[@pexxajohannes1506]

Some Väinämöinen you are. you didnt bother to translate "toope" in english.

[@vakavanhavainamoinen2221]

@@pexxajohannes1506 Ok, so he’s a git but we all know that eikö totta? Yeah, ok I’m sort of a fraud and not Finnish but a great Kalevala fan and mad about Sibelius. I can also recognise bullshitters like Toope!

[@pexxajohannes1506]

@@vakavanhavainamoinen2221 ok. Mr Old Vise man chasing young maiden to a lake. Let us not forget saying (trying translate into English and here goes) :" A Name makes no man bad, unless a man his name. Meaning you can be honorable mr Toope (finnis: Idiot, dumb, fool) in United Kingdom and even people of Kalevala should take you honrably, unless you act foolish (like "toope") after you no longer need to taken seriously. I dont know if there is similar saying in english?

[@winstonsmith7652]

I could be wrong, but I don't think Douglas likes Stephen Toope.

[@ElephantRage]

Well, I would not rush any judgment but you might have a case here.

[@beyourselfeveryoneelseista2625]

Listening to Douglas Murray is always so reinvigorating and inspiring. I truly admire his character and tenacity, specially going after these ghouls infiltrating western institutions for sinister goals. Cambridge needs a reset asap. Neither Chinese dominance, Islamic bias or this pathetic wokeism. That's it

[@hittitecharioteer]

You are describing the needs of the entire public sector; and what needs to be done with the Common Purpose place-men ghouls comprising the management.

[@vancouverterry9142]

Yes, "ghouls" -- excellent choice of word! Exactly!

[@TBL-Badash]

Agree wholeheartedly.

[@utv5490]

@@hittitecharioteer Sacked were you?

[@hittitecharioteer]

@@utv5490 I'm a retired hospital doctor. But there were plenty of us in the know.

[@The_Nowhereman]

How Douglas makes "Toope" sound like a swear word is worthy of a mention.

[@jesusjohnny8286]

Sounds like scotland's health minister, Yusaf saying h'white .

[@timchapman5567]

Rhymes with poop.

[@pleviaka]

Toope means 'dimwit' in Finnish.

[@jimosullivan1389]

Thank you for the info....which is apt for this cretin.

[@jane---489]

*_Strangely enough, it means exactly the same here in England ..._*

[@KenMoss]

You also have, idiooti, krettiini and ääliö all very apt.

[@madcyclist58]

Twp (t'uup) means stupid in Welsh.

[@martynspooner5822]

I might be wrong but I am coming away with the feeling that Mr Murray was not very fond of Mr Toope.

[@patrickparsons2378]

If you think Toope's grovelling to the Chinese is bad check out Musccatelli at the University of Glasgow. The university has been nicknamed 'Shangai Technical College' since 2011 due to the dangerously close ties with the Chinese Communist State.

[@tatradak]

The same as Cameron and Osborne did to fund UK infrastructure, I assume?

[@marcelgirard5162]

Douglass Murray “The madness of crowds” should be required reading for the so called leaders of the democratic world.

[@gerardfreeman8784]

As below Mr Mrray is brilliant,need somebody like him running this country

[@stoufer2000]

They do.. have done since minford came along..

[@stoufer2000]

Murray.. like the mints.. too good to hurry

[@jamesjackson7844]

No, Cambridge University ?

[@ScragNath]

A clear mind that understands the status quo. A leader that MUST exhibit strength and raw aggression. Douglas might fall short on that.

[@psr0459]

He's moved to America. It should tell you everything about the state of censorship in the UK

[@kevelliott]

Douglas M. can be so unexpectedly dry. When Toope was fudging around for excuses..."the dog had eaten his website" Haha!

[@howardbond928]

Douglas Murray in superb form as always. His conversational speech is more literate and grammatical than most people's prepared statements. There are three columns I immediately turn to when The Spectator drops through my letterbox - Douglas Murray, Rod Liddle and Lionel Shriver. They're worth the subscription on their own.

[@greenhighlander7940]

When I read the words 'three columns' and 'Spectator' my mind immediately gave me the same three names although, if I am honest, I put Rod Liddle first for pure entertainment value. Toby Young and 'No sacred cows' is also usually worth a look.

[@howardbond928]

@@greenhighlander7940 Yes, it tends to be Rod Liddle for me for the same reason (usually page 15, I believe!) - and, yes, mustn't forget Toby Young.

[@forthfarean]

Standing beside a person wearing an “Islamophobic” tee shirt and being rejected by Toope; this is very Stalinesque. In Stalin’s Russia one could be given ten years in the Gulag for knowing someone who knows someone who spoke to someone who was suspected of being a critic of Stalin.

[@heron6462]

Making people guilty by association is the definitive mark of a totalitarian regime. Its aim is to create an atomized and fearful population of informers.

[@robfrancis7561]

A timely reminder for a generation being indoctrinated with sanitised neo Communism in the Cambridge "Madrassa."

[@AALavdas]

Brilliant commentary by Douglas Murray, as usual.

[@hogyndrwg6253]

“Toupe”. No Christian name, just “Toupe”, repeated each time with a mildly increased accent of disdain. Brilliant and delicious!

[@hazchemel]

yeah, and the "keeping ahead of this lamentable curve" must surely mean the curve at the back of the toilet.

[@pexxajohannes1506]

There is word " toope" in finnish langage, and hint, nobody in Finland wants to be called toope.

[@jf7243]

One will never forget the canceling of Jordan Peterson’s offer of a term. It remains a disgrace for such an eminent institution. Thank you for a fine interview and for a brilliant summary and well considered opinions.

[@a.m.3574]

Douglas Murray is simply brilliant!

[@stoufer2000]

Nah

[@babooshka1963]

and gorgeous to boot

[@andym9571]

Is he " Voltaires Ghost " ?

[@phoebewashington2709]

Classic! Comparing Toope to Kenneth Widmerpool is just brilliant.

[@caeserromero3013]

He's been recalled to Beijing 😂

[@realMaverickBuckley]

May I humbly put forward Gad Saad, Douglas Murray or Jordan Peterson for the position.

[@luckybag6814]

I would be inclined to nominate David Starkey. But perhaps he’s a little long in the tooth.

[@ERobbins1234]

Are you sure they're right-wing enough for you?

[@owen368]

@@ERobbins1234 If you think they are not sufficient right wing for you then you could put somebody like me in their, that would really put the cat amoung the pigeons! Woke or cultural Marxism is not a force for good but tyranny and should be exterminated were ever it is found.

[@Mortimer_Duke]

Hooray! Good riddance to bad rubbish.

[@JonnM]

Several universities in Ireland, namely UCD, UCC, and others have been in receipt of hundreds of millions of Euros through the establishment of Confucius Institutes. Questions need to be asked of Andrew Deeks and others. See Professor David Farrell and Dr Alex Dukalskis, of UCD, article, in The Irish Times of Wednesday, September 15th on academic freedom and China’s influence.

[@davidjma7226]

Doug - Ghandi was perceived to be 'pure'. In reality he was far from it!

[@scatton61]

Why i have absolutely no respect for academia

[@Johnny-rj6ou]

We are lucky to have Douglas Murray and need more people like him.

[@elliotstannard5621]

"they say they want to spend time with their family when they know no-one else wants to spend time with them" 😂. Perfect. Classic Murray.

[@GLOKD]

Imagine being disparaged this severely by Douglas Murray. I'd probably shrivel up and die on the spot.

[@gordonlinton3555]

My view has always been that the University crisis is a leadership issue. Weak leadership that does not have the strength to stand up for fundamental principles of learning and enlightenment should be exposed and replaced.

[@hittitecharioteer]

It is deliberate! Gordon, are you aware of Common Purpose (the "political charity")? Therein you'll learn what has happened to our public institutions, quangos, charities and the major private sector involved in government contracts. Brian Gerrish (ex-Royal Navy submariner) of UK Column News has been investigating it since the days of NuLabour.

[@christineodonoghue385]

Correction: "weak leadership does not have the strength" should read "does not have the balls"!

[@gordonlinton3555]

@@christineodonoghue385 Yes, it is the case that you don't learn courage in safe spaces. And courage does have to be learnt.

[@richardkuehn7015]

Nail on head Sir.

[@TheSpoovy]

How I wish that I could talk like Douglas Murray. So well informed, articulate and witty. One of those people who I would enjoy listening to on just about any subject.

[@seanthomas7327]

So he was selling research done at Cambridge to China.

[@wjrs5]

The outstanding Douglas Murray.

[@sumthingwickedly]

The screaming absurdities going on in the world today is mind boggling

[@nickjung7394]

Toope was a worthy successor to those that radicalised those that became the "Cambridge Spies" in the past.

[@jimdavis8391]

Indeed, the sickness is well embedded within the universities of Oxford and Cambridge.

[@sniwashitu]

Deck chairs and titanic

[@iap-ug3oy]

Douglas ….more people need to listen to you….as for me I really do love what you have to say X

[@davidgriffin8958]

All true but who funds all the departments of Islamic Studies?

[@mikethebloodthirsty]

Who cares

[@jon123xyz]

Suidi Arabia does for Oxford - no? Was headed by Tariq Ramadan, a man who could be relied upon to run into Douglas' sword.

[@themsmloveswar3985]

In Oxford the former header of studies of the cult of Mohammed, had to stand down because he was treating women journalists and academics, the same way that the cult founder treated women. Well.... How come nobody seen that coming???

[@aristotle7687]

You should think yourself lucky you didn't meet Vice Chancellor Grant Guilford of NZ's Victoria University Douglas. Single handedly destroyed what was once a great institution. I do believe he is on his way out.

[@martinburrows6844]

I really admire mr murray

[@susielawless1202]

Me too wordsmith, me too 😉

[@davidlea-smith4747]

Excellent summary of a terrible person. Glad I wasn't at CU during his inglorious reign.

[@fjwhbdnehdh]

Even their shadow doesn’t want to spend time with them

[@tomthumb2361]

A bit like Mr Johnson's "reign" over the UK, an unmitigated disaster.

[@johnharris1352]

So Tom, I'm not sure"a bit like" cuts it. 1. Topped didn't stand for election to the post by the 20+ million people in this country.2. The conservative government has spoken out against China's behaviour towards Hong Kong not sucked up to it. Not a "bit like" to me.

[@mikethebloodthirsty]

@@johnharris1352 he's probably inferring that the nature of his leadership is similar. In that Johnson is pushing at least 2 fraudulent ideologies on society, whilst failing in his self proclaimed role to actually 'level up society'. This is also a failing of the woke movement, it claims to promote unity, but does the opposite. So in that sense, I think he has a point in comparing Jonson to the ex Cambridge vice chancellor.

[@Monsoon-sd6vr]

Toop needs to get on the 'Long March' and find out what his friends in China know about Covid !!!

[@dataprove]

For those wondering, the book above the left side of his head, as you look to the right of his head on the shelf, is "Britain's War Against the Slave Trade" by Anthony Sullivan, Frontline Books (An imprint of Pen and Sword Books Ltd.) 2020. The fly leaf says, "Long before recorded history, men, women, and children had been seized by conquering tribes and nations to be employed or traded as slaves. reeks, Romans, Vikings and Arabs were among the earliest of many peoples involved in the slave trade, and across Africa the buying and selling of slaves was widespread. There was, at the time, nothing unusual in Britain's somewhat belated entry into the slave trade, transporting natives from Africa's west coast to the plantation of the New World. What was unusual was Britain's decision, in 1807, to ban the slave trade throughout the British Empire."

[@gfroese4799]

It's always amazing that the left demand that everyone have respect their views , but anyone who's views are not inline with theirs , they demand that person or persons be vilified and [so called ] canceled .

[@lizlevesque5547]

I am Canadian. Can't you just keep him?

[@timchapman5567]

How lucky non-Marxist Britons are to have Douglas Murray batting for them.

[@utv5490]

What does non-Marxist mean in this instance? You have used it to cover up what you are scared to say.

[@fredericksaxton3991]

Thank God for Douglas Murray - I could watch and listen to him all day long.

[@NOlsen8]

Well said, Mr. Murray. Love and respect from Washington, D.C.

[@iga279]

How did a guy like toope get this job in the first place?

[@chriswaters3442]

Relations!

[@Mrbobinge]

Don't get hopes up Douglas. Successors all come from the same herd.

[@jimdavis8391]

The same swamp.

[@Mrbobinge]

@@jimdavis8391 Hmm, bottom feeders in herds, sometimes known as sewage.

[@michaeldickson2634]

"...in the hands of a chimpanzee.". Beautiful. Absolutely beautiful!

[@sniwashitu]

So why is Andrew so anti gb news when he runs this great magazine.. which is addressing the issues that gb news wants to address? Andrew should be ashamed about his performance or lack of on question time

[@danknighton3286]

I can only think the BBC did a job on him, he didn’t like it out in the cold and he came back crying to mummy.

[@adrianjcox8611]

Toope leaving is the best news I've had this week. Good riddance.

[@roblancs]

Thank you, Douglas, for pronouncing contrōversy properly.

[@Stafford674]

Before any university receives any public funds it should prove in the public forum that they preserve and defend free speech.

[@johnberkley6942]

Douglas has elevated derision to a subtle art.

[@JonnM]

Three Irish universities have Confucius Institutes on campus, UCD, UCC and the University of Galway. Another, Maynooth University has substantial links with a Chinese university. Questions need to be asked of Simon Harris as to the influence of the Confucius Institute on higher education in Ireland and the wider implications on Irish foreign policy.

[@brianholmes3547]

Marvellous, we need people like Douglas to keep us grounded and sane. It is frightening that big universities should enrole such people.

[@MarkRayBeach]

Great content. The intro music is terrible. It’s in the vein of slapstick comedy. In Canada, Just for Laughs (a hidden camera prank show) uses music that sounds just like that.

[@YS-jc7zr]

How could it happen that a guy like this was in charge of one of the best universities in the world. Definitely something wrong with the Western institutions to say the least.

[@Stratsiey]

I have huge respect for Mr Murray ever since I saw him stand up for western values in face of the terrorist attacks. Few have the honesty, decency and integrity to navigate their arguments so precisely in the muddy waters of today's politically correct waters. Hats off for a true journalist.

[@jackcohen7778]

Is she speaking English? I can't understand a word she's saying...

[@looneytoons171]

Damn Dougie, you're savage.

[@davidedbrooke9324]

Shame he can’t stand down right now. He was the epitome of complete woke rubbish.

[@garyhiggins6718]

For Stephen Toupe read Dolores Umbridge!

[@loafersheffield]

So, if another Toopite is selected, how long before Cambridge turns into another version of Evergreen State or Portland State?

[@roberthumphreys7977]

I couldn't pick Toope out of a lineup but it seems as if he was reincarnated as hair, he'd come back as a toupeé. One stiff breeze of fresh air and he's gone.

[@shamster7182]

I hope his replacement doesent s-toope to his level. We need a return to enlightenment/ scientific method

[@MB-uw6eh]

I’m glad Douglas is keeping watch over Cambridge and hopefully Oxford to ensure the Identity Politic massive sociological hole in the head ROT does not set in.

[@jennyk9748]

Sometimes the devil you know is the lesser evil- God only knows who will be appointed next. The current atmosphere surrounding university suggests he or she will be more radical then their predecessor.

[@hittitecharioteer]

His appointment (just like the Canadian, Mark Carney at the Bank of England) was deliberate. Are you not aware of Common Purpose (the "political charity")? Therein you'll learn what has happened to our public institutions, quangos, charities and the major private sector involved in government contracts. Brian Gerrish (ex-Royal Navy submariner) of UK Column News has been investigating it since the days of NuLabour.

[@mjc1970]

Families are captive to those who want to spend time with them... :D

[@johnbatson8779]

Cambridge's treatment of the historian David Starkey was a stunning display of hypocrisy and it needs to ridiculed for this heinous action and others

[@guineapigfarmer6064]

Douglas Murray is an absolute legend.

[@SA-vz7qi]

"He claimed the dig ate his website" Love it

[@tommystunestoons]

He destroyed UBC in Vancouver too.

[@israeldiegoriveragenius2th164]

Do not comply,. No to vaccine passports, no to mandatory vaccines. No to masks, no to tests, a total disgrace. Say no to tyranny. Utter disgrace say no to this tyranny.

[@johnhenshaw7655]

I’m not having any of it 🤬

[@hittitecharioteer]

Toope's appointment (just like the Canadian, Mark Carney at the Bank of England) was deliberate. Are you not aware of Common Purpose (the "political charity")? Therein you'll learn what has happened to our public institutions, quangos, charities and the major private sector involved in government contracts. Brian Gerrish (ex-Royal Navy submariner) of UK Column News has been investigating it since the days of NuLabour.This IS the long march through the institutions. Susan Michie at the head of SAGE is there with the blessing of our PM and HM's Government!

[@MichaelRolfe]

Clever + Informed + Brave = #DouglasMurray. ❤️

[@Dabhach1]

Enough of the soft soap, Douglas. Tell us what you think.

[@flowerjpotter1629]

Raising your eyebrow isn't always a conscious thing.

[@louisfriend7388]

Stephen Toope single handedly decided that Jordan Peterson, arguably the most well known intellectual in the western world, could not work as a visiting scholar. Pathetic

[@johnbland714]

What is it with highly privileged...rich...clever people...& Communism!! My Aunt Fanny could do a better job at Cambridge University...& she's quite often drunk ! Not on Vodka either.At least Philby Blunt & the other bloke did it all cloak & Dagger...Cloak & Sickle..Is it the rich diversity they're attracted to in Asian & Eastern bloc countries?Could be.

[@renshiwu305]

Amongst other travesties, Cambridge University disowning David Starkey is contemptible.

[@psr0459]

Didn't John Podesta say in a tweet - "When they say it's about 'family & friends', it's never about family & friends"

[@MarktheMole]

And it's not just Cambridge.. The current crop of UK University VCs is terrible. Toope is far from being the worst. Alison 'Ghastly' Gast, president at Imperial College, has made many a gaff and had to apologise for bullying. Staff there who don't get a grant are chucked out mid career. In 2015 the then provost at UCL Michael Arthur forced Britain's best scientist, Nobel Prize winner Tim Hunt to resign, without even an explanation. Arthur didn't get a knighthood, the usual gong for the job, when he left a few years later. Hurrah!

[@MisterHughes]

Lest we forget the - frankly genocidal sounding - white-hating tweets of Priyamvada Gopal, (a woman who reportedly feels she would have considered Germany winning WWII to be no greater an evil than the allies winning) who turned catchy phrases like "White lives don't matter" and "abolish whiteness" into a full professorship at Toope's Cambridge. Of course the departure of Toope may not necessarily be something to celebrate, as there is no guarantee they won't end up with someone worse.

[@alanwilliams3793]

It's the families I feel sorry for.

[@jesusjohnny8286]

Contrast with Labour's conference. Dummies who think saying structural or institutional makes them sound educated.

[@awlwayzl8]

Hasn’t Cambridge been down this path before, with senior academics being entranced by authoritarianism? The infamous “Cambridge 5” comes to mind.

[@richardburton5706]

I doubt if Stephem Toope is one of these, however there really are people who would like to spend more time with their family, meaning their children, but are prevented from doing so by their ex successfully duping the family court with tales of victimhood, propped up with false 'corroboration' from having pulled the exact same trick in duping their own children into a fear or contempt of their very own other parent. Tragically, these parents know only too well that the no-one else wanting to spend time with them is their own kids, who have fallen victim to the undue influence of a stealthily malicious parent wielding monopoly power on a susceptible child, made more vulnerable by dependence and isolation, often clumsily enabled by the family courts. I suggest that what we saw in Cambridge with the likes of Stephen Toope's culture-wars got its first societal foothold by hijacking/seducing the family courts with a surefire ideological business model. Expose please, wonderful The Spectator!

[@stellamaris5405]

☘️ The sane people of the world are very fortunate to have men like *Douglas Murray, Jordan Peterson & Sam Harris to always speak the truth & common sense in these crazy times* , when utter madness is being accepted as the norm, by too many people who should know better. I'd be listen to DMurray all day.

[@goreilly2005]

Canadian here. We don't want him/her/he/she/it, whatever Stephen Toope calls himself, we don't want him back.

[@judyanderson9401]

I once heard a talk by this buffoon in my neighbourhhod. Sadly, I'll bet he'll be back in Canada, being paid mega bucks for his utter incompetency.

[@bjarnestroustrup3650]

We have a moral duty not to comply. No to discriminatory vaccine passports and mandates, it is an utter disgrace. This must not happen England. Will never vote Labour or Tory again. Disgraceful

[@aipacsucks]

We must celebrate these victories and press for more!

[@hazelhadley-britt6396]

Freedom of speech should not be written into schools, universities, and colleges. It should be country wide for all people. Not just in certain spaces. As someone not in uni etc, I should be able to research any subjject. Speak of any subject.

[@scottttym]

Uggg, he will probably return to UBC... It's already been destroyed

[@timmo491]

I wouldn't describe his time as a legacy more of a dent.