John Cleese urges St Andrews students not to elect Q Manivannan as rector

Actor John Cleese has urged students not to elect the Green MSP, Q Manivannan, as rector of the University of St Andrews due to the politician's controversial comments about rape.

In a podcast last year, Manivannan spoke about the "demonisation of rape", adding that the crime existed on a "spectrum".

Cleese, a former rector at St Andrews, accused the MSP of trying to "understate the appalling psychological effects of rape".

Manivannan apologised earlier this year for any hurt caused, but said the comments had been "maliciously" edited.

Manivannan, who uses they/them pronouns, is in the running to become St Andrews rector alongside Brian Baumgartner - best known for playing Kevin Malone in the US version of The Office - and four other candidates.

In a pitch to voters, Manivannan posted on social media: "Alongside the space I occupy as an MSP, I will bring a chance for our wee town to grow and thrive while rectifying the many injustices being permitted in our name (including to our current rector Stella Maris)."

Maris, who is not seeking re-election, has been involved in long-running dispute with the university after being removed from the institution's court over comments she made about the Israel-Gaza war.

Cleese, also posting on social media, urged students not to back the Green MSP.

The Monty Python co-founder said: "As a former rector of St Andrews University I respectfully urge its students not to support someone who tries to understate the appalling psychological effects of rape."

Manivannan said they would seek to improve bus travel for students, end "insecure staff contracts", push for more affordable housing, and support Scottish students "alongside queer and racially minoritised students".

Manivannan, from India, recently announced they had been awarded a graduate visa, having been elected to the Scottish Parliament on a student visa.

The graduate visa will only last until 2029, with the anthropologist, poet and politician then planning to apply for a global talent visa.

They completed their doctorate in international relations at the University of St Andrews earlier this year.

Manivannan identifies as non-binary and is one of the first two openly trans MSPs at Holyrood, alongside fellow Green Iris Duane.

Their remarks about rape were reported following May's Scottish Parliament election.

Appearing on The Subjective Space podcast, Manivannan spoke of the "demonisation of rape", and said: "It is a spectrum – none of which is any worse or less or more worse."

Their comments were criticised by the Scottish Rape Crisis Alliance, which accused the MSP of trying to "minimise" sexual violence.

Apologising for the comments, they said: "I am horrified that my comments were selectively edited in order to mislead people and misrepresent me.

"But I also accept that my language was abstract in the first place and for that I take full responsibility and am sorry."

Voting for the rectorship will take place on Thursday and Friday, with all University of St Andrews students able to vote.

Previous rectors have included authors JM Barrie and Rudyard Kipling.

Manivannan has been asked to comment.