Huddersfield University slammed over Libya links

The 12 students are completing Masters degrees in forensic science.

Police have questioned for what the skills will be used upon the officers’ return to North Africa.

Paul McKeever, chairman of the Police Federation, said he was disappointed to see “kowtowing” to the Gaddafi regime.

He said the students’ presence was an “insult to the memory” of shot Pc Yvonne Fletcher, who was killed as she policed a demonstration at the Libyan embassy in central London in 1984.

Mr McKeever said: “I think it is a huge shame that we as a country are involved with the Libyan regime. It is an insult to the memory of Yvonne Fletcher.

“I am disappointed there has been kowtowing to the Gaddafi regime over the past years and we have to ask ourselves what we have had in return.

“It shows a lack of respect to police officers in this country that we’re assisting in the training of police officers who’ll be doing what, we have no idea, when they return to Libya.”

No arrests have been made in connection with the killing of Pc Fletcher, originally of Semley, near Shaftesbury.

Her death was followed by an 11-day siege at the embassy, which led to embassy staff being allowed to leave the UK under diplomatic immunity laws.

The visitors are members of Libya’s ordinary police force, which investigates crime, rather than the controversial Internal Security Agency, which deals with political dissidents.

However, regular Libyan police have been implicated in a range of human rights violations before the current revolt.

Huddersfield University’s deputy vice-chancellor Professor Peter Slee said the officers were among 103 Libyan students involved in the studies.

He told the BBC: “Every single one of these students is a science graduate who is upgrading their skills in forensic science as part of a wider contract.”

He said each student had a visa and had satisfied rigorous checks.

As part of their course the students will also receive training from a private forensics company.