Honorary degree for Post Office scandal campaigner
ReutersPost Office scandal campaigner Sir Alan Bates will be awarded an honorary degree by the University of Exeter.
Sir Alan spent more than two decades working to expose faulty Post Office accounting software which created shortfalls in sub postmaster accounts.
The former Exeter resident was to join philanthropists, politicians, entrepreneurs and artificial intelligence pioneers being given honorary degrees this week, the university said.
Sir Alan said the recognition was an honour and thanked the university for its work investigating the impact of the Post Office Horizon scandal.
"I feel very honoured to accept this honorary degree from Exeter," said Sir Alan.
"Whilst it is many years since I have lived and worked in Exeter, I am well aware of the important work the University of Exeter Law School has undertaken to investigate the impact on the mental health of victims and the families of sub postmasters involved with the Post Office Horizon scandal."
Other honorary degree recipients
- Former Green Party leader and co-leader Caroline Lucas
- Former Exeter MP and health minister Sir Ben Bradshaw
- Former Conservative Party chair Baroness Warsi
- Former Home Secretary and Chancellor of the Exchequer Sir Sajid Javid
- Chief executive of the Met Office Professor Penny Endersby
- BBC News analysis editor Ros Atkins
- Founder of DeepLearning AI Andrew Ng
- Secretary General of Medecins Sans Frontieres Christopher Lockyear
- Arts and culture coach and consultant Pippa Warin
- Writer Cheryl Morgan
- Entrepreneur and philanthropist Erika Brodnock MBE
- Philanthropist and former chair of Exeter's University Council Sarah Turvill
- Chief executive of Advocates for International Development Yasmin Batliwala MBE
A total of 6,348 students from 118 different countries are expected to graduate from nearly 170 courses at the university over the next two weeks.
University president Professor Lisa Roberts said: "It is always so special to celebrate the amazing achievements of our graduating students with their loved ones, and wish them well as they embark on the next stage of their lives.
"We are also looking forward to celebrating the impact and achievements of our honorary graduates, who have made such an important contribution to society. Their work is truly inspiring, and we look forward to celebrating with them."
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