Cabinet Minister Pays Damages to Academic She Accused of Hamas Sympathy

Science Secretary Michelle Donelan has paid damages to a university professor after saying she had suggested she “shared extremist views” and sympathised with the Hamas terrorist group. The undisclosed sum to Kate San, after Ms. Donelan retracted her comments, was covered by taxpayers. The Cabinet minister has since faced criticism by Labour and Liberal Democrat ministers and calls to resign. The University and College Union (UCU) general secretary Jo Grady said Ms. Donelan used taxpayers’ money to settle a libel claim and failed to apologise to “the individuals she falsely accused and attacked.” The minister’s position is “untenable,” and she “must resign,” Ms. Grady added....