‘I feel very honoured’ - Sir Alan Bates awarded honorary degree by University of Exeter

Post Office campaigner Sir Alan Bates will join politicians, journalists, philanthropists, entrepreneurs and AI pioneers being given honorary degrees by the University of Exeter this week.

Former Exeter MP The Rt Hon. Sir Ben Bradshaw and Professor Penny Endersby, Chief Executive of the Met Office will also be recognised for their work.

Sir Alan is the founder of the Justice For Subpostmasters Alliance and has spent more than two decades working to expose their abuse by the Post Office, stemming from its Horizon computer system failures.

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He said: “I feel very honoured to accept this Honorary Degree from Exeter. 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 subpostmasters involved with the Post Office Horizon scandal.”

Sir Ben said: “I feel hugely honoured to have been recognised in this way by University of Exeter. The university was a vital partner during my 27 years as Exeter’s MP in helping deliver the growth & economic success of our city, its global reputation and transforming the life chances of local young people through its spearheading & leadership role in Exeter’s Ted Wragg Trust, which has delivered huge improvements in attainment in Exeter secondary schools.”

Professor Endersby said: “I am extremely honoured and proud to receive this honorary doctorate from the University of Exeter. Exeter has a fine reputation as one of the best places in the UK to research and study all aspects of climate, environment and sustainability, with increasingly global standing. As one of our Met Office Academic Partners they make an active and valued contribution to our research. Working together we have generated a hub of environmental expertise in the South West leading to many strong collaborations such as the recent Exeter Climate Forum.

“I look forward to meeting the many brilliant graduands and to seeing the University go from strength to strength as we continue our partnership.”

Also receiving honorary degrees are BBC News Analysis Editor are Ros Atkins, Andrew Ng, the founder of DeepLearning AI and Christopher Lockyear, Secretary General of Médecins Sans Frontières.

A total of 6,348 students from 118 different countries, with 128 different nationalities, will graduate from more than 168 different courses over the next two weeks. They will be cheered on by more than 15,000 guests.

Former leader and co leader of the Green Party Caroline Lucas, The Rt Hon. the Baroness Warsi and The Rt. Hon Sir Sajid Javid will be awarded honorary degrees.