Grant Shapps branded the university’s decision ‘absurd’ as he said it would ‘deprive’ students of the opportunity to explore military careers.
“University OTC’s provide students with a unique opportunity to gain new experiences, develop valuable skills and have amazing adventures.
“Trying to deprive students of these opportunities is wrong and anyone considering doing so should reconsider immediately.” One university Bristol OTC member, Abby Blackwell, 21, told The Telegraph of her disappointment, she said: “The university is supposed to help us find fulfilling and lifelong careers, but by trying to ban the OTC they’re doing the opposite of that. They’re limiting potential career paths.A defence source also told the outlet that OTCs have “been known to be banned by student unions over the years. It’s not without precedent.
While the OTC provides military training modules around students’ studies, it is not a “feeder” for the regular Armed Forces, they added. A spokesperson for Bristol University said: “We respect our students’ right to raise concerns about issues they feel strongly about and we will continue to listen to and engage with their views.”
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