Uni deny rift over honour for atheist

Nov 6 2008 by Sam Casey, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

REPORTS of a row over a university award for Britain’s most prominent atheist have been rubbished.

Huddersfield University gave Prof Richard Dawkins an honorary doctorate for science this year.

The controversial evolutionary biologist from Oxford University wrote The Selfish Gene, which popularises the gene-centred view of evolution, and anti-religion diatribe The God Delusion.

A national newspaper reported that the decision to give Prof Dawkins the award was opposed by Bishop of Wakefield Stephen Platten, who it claims sits on the awards committee.

It claimed he threatened to resign over the issue and was only appeased when popular actor and university chancellor Patrick Stewart suggested an honorary doctorate for Bishop of Oxford Richard Harries.