The Oxford Students’ Union has released an independent statement apologising to its former President. Read the statement in full here:
The newly constituted board of Oxford University Students’ Union has received and
accepted an independent report on a grievance submitted by former President Danial
Hussain in relation to the previous academic year 2023/24. The report upheld Mr Hussain’s
complaint that the Union failed in its responsibilities, and in particular its duty of care,
towards him as an employee and elected leader.
The report makes no findings of wrongdoing by any individual. The failure identified was
collective. The report describes an accumulating failure by the organisation as a whole to
address issues properly which had a significant and negative impact on Mr Hussain and his
wellbeing. This included the publication of media articles containing sensitive, confidential
but incomplete information about internal HR processes. Those processes were followed
between August 2023 and February 2024 in relation to two separate issues and involved two
periods of suspension. The report commissioned by the Board concluded in relation to the
first issue that the allegation against Mr Hussain was unfounded and unsupported by
evidence (as confirmed by the investigation carried out at the time) and that the decision to
suspend him was not well-founded. In relation to the second issue, the report found that the
period of suspension was not warranted in the circumstances and noted that the outcome of
the process was that Mr Hussain should return to his role. Throughout that period, the
report found, Mr Hussain did not receive the level of support he should have received, and
unnecessary damage was done to working relationships.
The Board, on behalf of OXSU, apologises to Mr Hussain. It also recognises his contribution
to Oxford SU’s work, saying “Despite the challenges Danial faced, he led several long-
lasting projects that have positioned the SU for future success. These include the College
Disparities Report and the organisational transformation that Oxford SU will be implementing
over the next year. These initiatives will serve as lasting legacies of his determination and
strategic vision”
The report makes a number of recommendations which the board of Oxford SU has
accepted and has implemented or is in the course of implementing. These include equality
and diversity unconscious bias training for the whole organisation, clarity about people’s
roles, relationships and responsibilities and support for elected officers in their roles,
practical and constructive ways of dealing with issues and tensions and a documented and
resourced procedure for supporting anyone suspended.