Imran Khan Excluded from Oxford University Chancellor Race Amid Legal Concerns

Oxford University has officially excluded former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan from the list of approved candidates for the prestigious position of chancellor, following concerns regarding his eligibility under the university’s regulations.

Khan, who is currently imprisoned, had submitted his candidacy for the role. However, a leading UK law firm raised concerns, citing his legal ineligibility due to one of his criminal convictions. This assessment was provided by King’s Counsel Hugh Southey from Matrix Chambers, a prominent UK legal firm. Southey noted that Khan’s conviction likely disqualifies him from serving as Oxford’s chancellor in accordance with the university’s rules and the broader legal framework governing trustee appointments.

Oxford University recently released a list of nearly 40 approved candidates for the chancellorship, with Khan’s name notably absent. In a statement, the university outlined the election process, explaining that in the first round, voters will have the opportunity to rank as many candidates as they wish. The top five candidates will move forward to a second round of voting, which is set to take place during Week 6 of Michaelmas Term, starting on November 18, 2024.

To accommodate its global community of alumni and colleagues, the university has decided to hold the election online, with the first round of voting beginning during Week 3 of Michaelmas Term, starting on October 28, 2024. No additional voter registrations will be accepted.

Khan’s exclusion comes after several legal challenges were raised against his candidacy. Beltway Grid, a policy advocacy group, analyzed Southey’s legal opinion, emphasizing the significance of Regulation 7(d) of Oxford’s Council Regulations 8 of 2002 and Section 178 of the Charities Act 2011. These regulations stipulate criteria for individuals serving as trustees, with requirements for honesty and transparency being critical factors. Legal experts have pointed out that Khan’s past may conflict with these standards, particularly the “fit and proper person” test, a measure used to assess the suitability of trustees.

Southey, an accomplished legal figure called to the bar in 1996 and awarded Silk in 2010, has extensive experience handling high-profile cases, including those brought before the UK Supreme Court. His legal opinion has drawn attention to the complexities surrounding Khan’s candidacy and the university’s legal obligations in this election process.

With Khan now officially out of the race, the contest for Oxford’s chancellorship continues, with the final decision set to be made later this term.