Q Manivannan: 'Queer migrant' Green politician fails in bid to become rector of St Andrews

BREAKING Man arrested after 'mass casualty incident' at Kansas sports complex 1792279249.475 'Queer migrant' Green politician fails in bid to become rector of historic university The Indian transgender activist sparked fury in the summer after speaking out about the 'demonisation of rape' Sign up to the Politics Newsletter Email address Sign up I agree to receive updates and information about my account, the GB News Community, and related products and services from GB News. By signing up you agree to the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy and Community Rules. Thank you for signing up! See the latest from GB News here . Choose GB News on Google - add us as a preferred source Choose GB News Support GB News Champion free speech and independent journalism while unlocking exclusive benefits. Support us "Queer migrant" Green politician Q Manivannan has failed in a bid to become rector of the University of St Andrews. The Edinburgh and Lothians East MSP, who lives in Britain on a graduate student visa, came a distant third out of six candidates, receiving just 1,243 votes. The rector is one of the most distinctive and historic roles at the Scottish university. They serve as president of the University Court for three years, representing the interests of students at the highest level of the St Andrew's governance. TRENDING Stories Videos Your Say Actor Brian Baumgartner, who is most known for his role as Kevin Malone in the US version of The Office, came second after receiving 1,553 votes. Dr Arthur Bernhoff, a St Andrews graduate and Ministry of Defence analyst, was elected as the new rector of the Fife university after clinching 3,135 votes. St Andrews said this year's election saw the “biggest response” in recent history, with turnout at just under 45 per cent, almost double the turnout in the last vote in 2023. Returning officer Mike Gettinby put the record-breaking turnout down to the “engaged and positive” campaigns by the candidates. The Edinburgh and Lothians East MSP - who lives in Britain on a graduate student visa - came a distant third out of six candidates | GETTY After being election rector, Dr Bernhoff said he was "honoured and humbled by the level of support" he received and vowed to be "accessible to all students of our vastly diverse student body". Manivannan sparked fury over the summer after speaking out about the “demonisation of rape” and claimed rape existed on a “spectrum”. The 30-year-old responded to the furious backlash by instead claiming the comments had been taken out of context. The Edinburgh MSP said: “This clip has been clearly misrepresented and taken out of context from a much longer interview. THE GREEN PARTY - READ THE LATEST: Equalities watchdog probes Green Party with antisemitism concerns after 'Zionism is racism' policy Labour threatens Greens with 'urgent' ultimatum after Zack Polanski commits to 'antisemitic' policy 'Queer migrant' Green MSP allowed to stay in UK on new visa after ‘rape is a spectrum’ row St Andrews said this year's election saw the 'biggest response' in recent history, with turnout at just under 45 per cent | PA "As a survivor of sexual violence, who has spoken openly about my recovery, I am clear that we need to focus on reducing the likelihood of perpetrators of rape reoffending. “The point I made about demonisation was that not all rapists fit a stereotype, and that all kinds of men can and do commit it." The politician added: “When talking about a spectrum I was making the point that laws often take a narrow definition of what rape and sexual violence is, which often allows it to continue without consequence. "A full viewing of the interview clarifies this. In a country where rape has the lowest conviction rates of any crime, and reoffending continues, this is an urgent and important conversation we need to have in Scotland.” Q Manivannan sparked fury over the summer after speaking out about the 'demonisation of rape' | PA After being elected to Holyrood in May 2026, the Green MSP came under fire after it emerged the activist stood while only holding a student visa. Manivannan, who pushed for Scottish taxpayers to fund reparations to the Palestinian people, was fundraising to pay for a graduate visa despite MSPs earning £77,711 a year. The elected representative also owns a £250,000 home in India. Buyers could secure a four or five-bedroom detached villa with its own garden and parking for such a figure in Manivannan's hometown of Chennai, while £250,000 would likely stretch to a one-bedroom flat in Edinburgh. Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter Politics John Swinney splurges £30million of taxpayers' money on fund to 'fight the far-right' in Scotland Politics Reform UK mayor and Olympic gold medalist under investigation for 'showing naked pictures of himself to female staffer' Politics Conservatives leapfrog Reform UK as top pollster suggests 'tectonic plates are shifting' on British right Politics John Healey signals support for third runway at Heathrow despite Andy Burnham ducking issue Politics Labour urged to slash 'outdated' red tape to 'reclaim Britain's place as a global nuclear leader' Politics National security adviser’s wife accused of backing Palestine Action Politics Andy Burnham accused of £500m 'class war' as Labour councils set for 'funding boost' Politics Thames Valley Commissioner urges Shabana Mahmood to reconsider Piddington decision Politics Reform councillor had to strip and isolate outside his home after dangerous package sent to his address Politics Rift on the Right gifts Andy Burnham another by-election victory as Rupert Lowe 'stitch-up' deepens Politics Criminal investigation launched into Your Party founding over unauthorised access to political database Politics Mega poll hands Andy Burnham 56-seat majority in Labour revival as Tories pushed ahead of Reform UK Politics Andy Burnham rules out holding Scottish independence vote after striking alliance with SNP Politics Lucy Powell to put speaking skills on same level as reading and writing in 'Orwellian' plans Exclusive Politics Andy Burnham set for 'fight of his political life' over broken welfare system Politics Equalities watchdog probes Green Party with antisemitism concerns after 'Zionism is racism' policy Politics Labour threatens Greens with 'urgent' ultimatum after Zack Polanski commits to 'antisemitic' policy Exclusive Politics Revealed: The staggering price rejoining the EU could cost British taxpayers Politics Andy Burnham pushes for deal to hand EU judges power over Britain as part of new migration pact Politics Shabana Mahmood's Trump-style visa ban shut down as embassy hits out at 'political gimmick' Politics Reform UK says there is 'no room for racism' in party after undercover investigation Politics Exposed: Four times Labour sought to undermine Brexit as Rejoiners push to overturn the will of the people Politics Britain gives Ukraine £17million to fund critical repairs to the Chernobyl power plant after Russia drone attack Politics Shabana Mahmood threatens to impose Trump-style sanctions on Eritrea in visa row Politics Sadiq Khan 'backs down' over £50million Met Police deal with AI software firm Politics Britain's approach to China 'beset by incoherence' warns damning new report Politics Labour to make North Sea gas field decision 'imminently' as winter energy fears mount Politics Nigel Farage tells Andy Burnham to declare 'national security emergency' amid surge in small boat crossings Politics MPs reject Piddington's plea to withdraw from ECHR and abandon migrant camp plans Politics Andy Burnham accused of cover-up over links to scandal-hit Man City as new freebies come to light