By Dana Datu, News Reporter
The Telegraph revealed on Saturday that Professor David Gordon was suspended in October 2025 over replying to an email from the LGBTQ+ Staff Network, which had complained about a talk from Professor Sullivan, after his manager asked him not to do so.
After Professor Gordon of the School for Policy Studies invited Professor Sullivan to speak in July 2024, Bristol's LGBTQ+ Staff Network sent an email which said that while the talk was ‘acceptable under freedom of academic speech’, her ‘transphobia’ would cause ‘real and enduring harm’.
Professor Sullivan is noted for having led a government review which concluded that public bodies should collect data based on a person’s biological sex, as well as gender identity.
Lenny Osler
Student demonstrators interrupted the talk from the UCL academic, held in March 2025, forcing the event to move to a higher floor. Professor Sullivan likened the disruption to a ‘zombie apocalypse’, and threatened legal action in December against the University for failing to protect free speech and academic freedom.
You can read Epigram’s full coverage on the disruption and subsequent threat of legal action here.
Professor Gordon drafted a reply to the LGBTQ+ Staff Network’s complaint in July 2024, stating ‘I firmly believe that it is in the interests of the LGBTQ+ community to engage with and discuss their views about sex and gender identity with Professor Alice Sullivan.’
When his manager, Head of the School for Policy Studies, saw the draft in October 2024, they insisted he ‘leave further communications on this with me.’
‘Because academic freedom and freedom of speech are written into the university’s charter, because I’d organised the event and because my LGBTQ+ colleagues expected an answer, I sent it anyway’ Gordon said. He was swiftly suspended from the University.
It is for this reason - failing to ‘follow reasonable management instructions’ - that an investigation ending in March 2025 concluded he should remain suspended. It did, however, dismiss claims of bullying and harassment.
Solidarity with Professor David Gordon. His treatment by University of Bristol management is a scandal. https://t.co/HWpF4UGCAv
— Professor Alice Sullivan (@ProfAliceS) January 17, 2026
The Sullivan Review was commissioned by the previous Conservative government and published in March 2025 | X / ProfAliceS
The LGBTQ+ Staff Network provides support to ‘lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and other sexualities and gender minorities’ at the University by listening to ideas and working to make positive changes. It organises social events, offers lines of support and contacts, and works with HR to develop policies and initiatives.
‘Accusing Prof Sullivan of transphobia is ridiculous,’ Professor Gordon told The Telegraph.
The academic remains suspended on full pay, but argues that ‘Suspensions are meant to be concluded within six weeks’ adding, ‘There is no reason for it to go on for years unless they are using it to keep me quiet. But I’m not going to be bullied into resigning or retiring.’
Roya Shahidi
Professor Gordon says he is considering legal action against the University of Bristol for the alleged violation of his ‘basic human rights’, claiming that if his position was to be terminated, the compensation damages for a discrimination charge would be unlimited.
He has also lamented that it has become increasingly difficult to explore and debate contested social topics such as gender identity.
Ella Heathcote
‘I’d like [the University of Bristol] to apologise for violating my right to freedom of speech and academic freedom and not protecting me from discrimination,’ Professor Gordon said in response to his suspension.
‘I think you should obey reasonable management instructions, such as marking. But being told not to discuss academic issues is just not reasonable.’
A University of Bristol spokesperson said to Epigram: ‘We cannot legally comment on individual members of staff or internal staff procedures.’
Featured image: Epigram / Sophie Maclaren
