STV NewsThe founder of Dundee Culture has confirmed he will no longer speak at Abertay University after it allowed a controversial group which supports men convicted of sexual offences to give a talk to students.
Andrew Batchelor launched the social media platform in 2013 at just 12 years old to promote his hometown of Dundee and has gained over 100,000 followers across his channels.
He said being invited to give a guest lecture at Abertay was an achievement he was “incredibly proud” of.
However, following discussions with the university the lecture scheduled for later this month will no longer go ahead.
Mr Batchelor cited a recent visit by Justice for Innocent Men in Scotland (JIMS) as factor in the decision.
JIMS describes itself as being dedicated to supporting men in Scotland who have been falsely accused of sexual offences and campaigns for “justice, transparency, and much-needed reform in the legal system”.
Mr Batchelor said: “Following recent developments surrounding Abertay University’s decision to host representatives from the JIMS group, I’ve been in discussions with the university about my upcoming guest lecture later this month.
“After careful consideration and discussions with Abertay, we’ve mutually agreed that my talk will no longer be going ahead as planned.
“I want to make it clear that I do not agree with the university’s decision to host representatives from JIMS, particularly given the serious concerns that have been raised.”
Dundee Culture founder says cancelling is the ‘appropriate decision’
Mr Batchelor confirmed that he had received messages from concerned followers about his involvement with the university and while he said he was “disappointed”, he said it was the “appropriate decision”.
He added: “Dundee Culture has always been about bringing people together, celebrating our city and creating a community where everyone feels welcome, respected and heard. That means a great deal to me, and I never take the trust of this community for granted.
“Naturally, I’m disappointed. Being invited to speak at a university in my home city was something I was incredibly proud of, particularly after years of hard work building Dundee Culture and overcoming challenges along the way. It was an opportunity I was genuinely looking forward to.”
Members of JIMS were invited to speak to criminology students for a module for a second time, following a controversial visit back in October 2025.
Rape survivor and victim’s advocate, Ellie Wilson, criticised the decision to allow JIMS to speak at the institution for a second time, calling it “deeply irresponsible”.
In an interview with STV News, she said that a second invitation to speak seemed “intentional” especially given the backlash from the group’s inital visit.
Darren McGarvey renounces honorary degree from Abertay
On Tuesday, Scottish rapper Darren McGarvey renounced his honorary degree from the university in light of the decision to host JIMS.
McGarvey says he believes the organisation goes beyond advocating for people who had been wrongly accused and accused it of using the issue to promote “reactionary ideas”.
He also called on the university to “apologise unreservedly to those affected”.
A spokesperson for the university said: “The University has a legal duty to uphold academic freedom and lawful freedom of expression. Universities are places where difficult and controversial views can be heard, questioned and challenged, including views that members of our community may strongly disagree with.
“At the same time, the wellbeing of our students remains a key priority. We are committed to tackling gender-based violence and ensuring support is available to students who experience it. We would encourage anyone who has been affected to reach out to the University for support.”
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