York lecturer offered me a better degree if I slept with him, says Harriet Harman

Former Labour deputy leader Harriet Harman has said one of her university lecturers offered to guarantee her a better degree in return for sex when she was a student almost 50 years ago.
Harriet Harman said one of her university lecturers offered to guarantee her a better degree in return for sexHarriet Harman said one of her university lecturers offered to guarantee her a better degree in return for sex
Harriet Harman said one of her university lecturers offered to guarantee her a better degree in return for sex

Ms Harman said she rejected the advance by her course tutor, Professor TV Sathyamurthy, saying: “I was repulsed by him.”

York University, where she was studying at the time, said her claims were “extremely concerning” and would constitute “gross misconduct”.

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Ms Harman, 66, makes her allegation in her forthcoming memoir, A Woman’s Work - to be published next week - the Daily Mail reported.

Prof Sathyamurthy, who died in 1998, was said to have told her she was a “borderline” student who might get either a 2:1 or 2:2.

He was then said to have told her he would ensure she was awarded the higher grade if she slept with him.

Ms Harman, who graduated in 1972 aged 21, said she still gained a 2:1 in politics, despite rejecting his advance.

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York University’s registrar and secretary, Dr David Duncan, said: “The allegations made by Ms Harman are extremely concerning.

“The University of York strongly condemns all forms of sexual harassment and will not tolerate it among staff or students.

“Behaviour of the sort described by Ms Harman would constitute gross misconduct and would lead to dismissal.

“We have an extensive support system in place for students and staff who are concerned about harassment of any kind.”

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