Academic ‘wrongfully dismissed’ from University of Bristol seeks reinstatement after court victory

By Lenny Osler, News Editor and Dana Datu, News Deputy Editor

On Tuesday, the University of Bristol lost its appeal against the 2024 court decision which found that David Miller, former professor of political sociology, was ‘wrongfully dismissed’ from his post at the University.

Miller has since said he is ‘looking forward’ to returning to work at the University ‘without fear of intimidation or reprisal’. The recent ruling does not guarantee him reinstatement at the University.

This week’s ruling is the latest in a lengthy legal battle between the University and Miller, who was sacked by the University in October 2021 after he ‘did not meet the [university's] standards of behaviour’.

The former professor took this decision to the Employment Tribunal (ET) and won in February 2024. However, Miller’s comments towards Jewish students were found to qualify as blameworthy misconduct, halving his compensation.

The ET also found that Miller had been discriminated against for his anti-Zionist beliefs - which in this case were classed as philosophical beliefs protected under the 2010 Equality Act.

In 2025, the University appealed against the 2024 ruling at the Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT). On August 4, 2026, Lord Fairley, president of the EAT, dismissed the University’s appeal.

Fairley found ‘no good reason’ why Miller’s anti-Zionism should be excluded from legal protection. However, the EAT also upheld the ruling that Miller’s comments amounted to misconduct.

The conflict began after a complaint was issued against Miller in 2019, after he said in a lecture that the Zionist movement was one of ‘five pillars driving Islamophobia in the UK’.

Prior to his dismissal, Miller was criticised for using what was described as a ‘false, vile… antisemitic slur’ during a lecture. He was accused of referring to Jewish student groups as ‘political lobby groups’ and claiming British Jewish students were ‘political pawns’ of Israel.

Bristol Jewish Society (JSoc) praised the University’s decision to dismiss the former professor in a 2021 statement, describing ‘harassment, targeting and vicious diatribe’ from Miller and his students.

In a post on X responding to the recent decision, Miller said the University sought to ‘criminalise’ his ‘anti-Zionist worldview’.

He described the latest decision as a ‘precedent’ that ‘secures the rights of all critics of Zionism and supporters of the Palestinian people in Britain’.

The University of Bristol recognised the judgement but was ‘disappointed’ with the findings, saying in a statement: 

‘Our core objectives are to ensure all our students thrive at the University of Bristol and to protect freedom of speech and expression, a fundamental part of that care and consideration.

‘At the same time, we have an obligation to make sure that these essential and important freedoms are exercised appropriately and in line with our codes of conduct and the expectation of the highest standards of behaviour. 

‘We will continue to provide an environment where our staff and students can debate difficult and contentious issues, fostering a positive working and learning environment where free speech and academic freedom are championed.’

Bristol JSoc commented on the recent ruling, saying:

‘We must not allow activists to weaponise this judgment; to use it to validate antisemitic, hateful abuse and harassment.

‘There is a clear distinction between criticism of the actions of a state and hateful rhetoric that casts Jewish students and their communities as the enemy. Jewish students experience extreme hate and racism as real-world threats to their safety, as harassment, and as exclusion - compounded by the sense that speaking up on campus leads nowhere.

‘Universities must ensure they protect all students in an era where protests, social media and external actors amplify harm. Jewish students are not asking for special treatment - they are asking for education without fear, identity without penalty, and institutions to act when they are unlawfully targeted. The collective moral responsibility on campuses and beyond to protect all students against discrimination and abuse has never been greater.’

UoB Friends of Palestine (PalSoc) were contacted for comment, but have not responded. PalSoc have not recently commented on Miller on social media or elsewhere.

An anonymous student describing themselves as ‘anti-Zionist’ told Epigram:

‘If you are interested in advocacy and supporting Palestinians and their loved ones living through a genocide and occupation as a student, I would recommend following @bristol_leftist_collective on Instagram for news such as learning sessions, bake sales on campus, film fundraisers and more across the city.

‘There is also an SU affiliated group called UoB Friends of Palestine (PalSoc) for students who wish to learn about and show support to Arab and Palestinian students, which is great way to show solidarity and meet new people.’

Featured image: Jewish News