Bev Turner has branded members of the Bangor University debating society as "small-minded" and "petulant" after it announced a ban on Reform UK representatives on its campus.
The uproar occurred after the Bangor Debating and Political Society turned down a request for Sarah Pochin, who represents Runcorn and Helsby, to participate in a question-and-answer session with students.
The student society, which operates independently through the Students' Union rather than the university itself, issued a statement explaining its refusal.
"We stand by this decision as a committee. We have zero tolerance for any form of racism, transphobia, or homophobia displayed by the members of Reform UK," the society declared.
Bev Turner has blasted the censorship on free speech
|GB NEWS
The group added that Reform's "approach to the lives of others is antithetical to the values of welcoming and fair debate that our society has upheld for 177 years."
Established in 1849, the Bangor Debating and Political Society describes itself as Wales's oldest student organisation and a home for those who wish to "challenge ideas, explore diverse perspectives, and master the art of persuasion."
The society expressed pride in being "the first of the debating unions to take a stand against Reform UK" and urged other university societies to follow suit in "keeping hate out of our universities."
The decision has prompted fury from several free speech advocates, including the People's Channel's very own Bev.
Reform MP Sarah Pochin was banned by the Bangor Uni debating society
| PAAddressing the society's decision on X, Bev penned: "The most small-minded, petulant, unintelligent display of censorship from @bangor_staff.
"I despair for our next generation. These so-called academics cast silence as progress and detachment from debate as strength.
"If they are so confident of their position, they should welcome the chance to win that debate!!"
The Late Show host soon followed her initial statement with a second update that took aim at the broader attitude of British students who want to shut down freedom of speech and debate.
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The most small-minded, petulant, unintelligent display of censorship from @bangor_staff.
— Bev Turner (@beverleyturner) February 9, 2026
I despair for our next generation.
These so-called academics cast silence as progress and detachment from debate as strength.
If they are so confident of their position, they should… https://t.co/WJ74vM70ul
Bev shared an image of a notice board which had been digitally altered from Colorado State University that read: "If you (or someone you know) are affected by a free speech event on campus, call your parents and ask them to come and take you home. You're not ready for university yet."
The GB News star reacted: "If this is genuine @ColoradoStateU... I love you. Please take more British students. We need help!" (sic)
Sadly for Bev, the noticeboard in the image has been altered.
It isn't just Bev who has taken exception to the Bangor Debating and Political Society's decision. Reform UK's head of policy, Zia Yusuf, has warned the university could lose £30 million in annual state funding under a future Reform government.
Zia Yusuf has issued a threat to Bangor University as a result
| PAMr Yusuf posted on social media: "Bangor University have banned Reform and called us 'racist, transphobic and homophobic'.
"Bangor receives £30 million in state funding a year, much of which comes from Reform-voting taxpayers. I am sure they won't mind losing every penny of that state funding under a Reform government.
"After all, they wouldn't want a racist's money, would they?" he sarcastically signed off.
Bangor University has moved swiftly to distance itself from the controversy, emphasising that the decision was made by an independent student group rather than the institution.
Bangor University have banned Reform and called us “racist, transphobic and homophobic”.
— Zia Yusuf (@ZiaYusufUK) February 9, 2026
Bangor receives £30 million in state funding a year, much of which comes from Reform-voting taxpayers.
I am sure they won’t mind losing every penny of that state funding under a Reform… pic.twitter.com/piUPlBzEcY
A university spokesperson stated: "The social media post was issued by a student society and not by Bangor University. Student societies are created and run by students through the independent Students' Union."
The spokesperson added: "The views expressed by societies are their own and do not reflect University policy.
"Bangor University remains politically neutral and supports freedom of speech. Bangor University welcomes debate from across the political spectrum."
Labour MP Claire Hughes, who represents Bangor Aberconwy, criticised Mr Yusuf's response, accusing him of "issuing threats" simply because "a debating society turned them down."
She added: "Reform offer nothing but division. We will fight them all the way."