In this exclusive series for GBN members we speak with people across Britain who have been de-platformed, cancelled or censored for their views and their discussions on a wide range of topics.
Charlie Peters will be talking to the likes of Connie Shaw, Graham Linehan and Carl Borg in this latest series.
Connie Shaw, a undergraduate student at the University of Leeds found herself in hot water at the university because of a podcast she started only a few months ago which discussed gender critical views.
She was working at Leeds Student Radio, but has been suspended pending a complaint. Connie Shaw, 20, was barred from her role as head of daytime radio after being accused of breaching the student union’s code of conduct
Connie Shaw speaks to Charlie Peters in this exclusive series for GBN members
GB News
Connie now opens up to GB News National Reporter Charlie Peters on her journey and her continued battle for freedom of speech.
She spoke of how she has been on a transformation when it comes to ideology.
She said: “I just look back and think I was naive. No one challenged. No one challenged me. I don’t feel guilty but I’ve said before, my attitude towards stuff hasn’t changed in the sense that I’ve always felt this duty, which sounds ridiculous, but I’ve always been predisposed to wanting to call out things that I think are wrong.
“But the issue was that when I was at school, I was just in an echo chamber.”
Connie explained how she was labelled ‘far-right’ for having gender critical ideas.
She said: “And some people labeled it as far right, which is always sort of a typical response to any gender critical feminist that we’re all on the far right and or any idea.”
She explained that students “have no choice but to conform to this stuff.”
She added: “I also pointed out that at LSR, just as another example of how students have no choice but to conform to this stuff that, my face and name were printed out on a poster along with the whole committee to put on the wall in the office and next to my name were my pronouns, and I hadn’t been asked, do you want your pronouns there or not?
“I hadn’t even been asked what my pronouns were, which sort of defeat the whole point.”
You can watch and listen to the full interview above.
The Free Speech Union is now appealing on her behalf.
“We believe that I have been discriminated against on the basis of the Equality Act, where my views are specifically protected,” Shaw explained.
She also revealed that others faced pressure by association, with a friend who helped edit her podcast being told to “disassociate himself” from her.
A spokesman for the union told the Telegraph: “Inclusivity is one of our core values, helping to ensure that everyone can enjoy their university experience, free from discrimination.
“Due to an ongoing appeal, we are unable to comment further on this case.”
GB News has contacted both Leeds University and LSU in relation to this episode. At the time of publication no response was received.