A FORMER Southampton GP and chairman of the Universities and Colleges Christian Fellowship (UCCF), Dr Peter May, has given his full backing to members of the Christian Union at Exeter University who are at the centre of an unholy row.

This week the CU, which is campaigning for the human rights of association and free speech on campus, rejected an independent adjudication into the case as "unbalanced and selective".

Dr May, of Highfield, says the CU is seriously considering seeking a judicial review in the High Court.

Mark Shaw QC, the independent adjudicator appointed by Exeter University, strongly criticised the constitution of Exeter CU because it restricted the membership to Christians, despite the fact its meetings were open to everyone - of all faiths and none.

He held it discriminatory that the CU should be run by Christians.

Last year, the Student Guild forced the Exeter Christian Union to change its name to Exeter Evangelical Christian Union following one complaint (in a 50-year period) by a student.

The guild also froze the CU's bank account and wrote to it banning it from holding or advertising events on guild premises.

In January the CU filed papers at the High Court asking for a judicial review of the guild's actions under the Human Rights Act.

It was subsequently informed that the university would require the CU to go through an informal internal adjudication procedure before any external procedure could be followed.

Dr May said: "The university established an internal appeals process to resolve the dispute.

"Out of primarily public funds, the university and guild had access to leading firms of solicitors and barristers (including QCs) while the CU was denied all such assistance.

"Mr Shaw determined that the process should be legal' rather than informal as is usually the case, and also decided that the process should deal with substantive and procedural issues of law.

"He also stated that the CU should be prepared to pay the costs of the university and guild, which could have been more than £50,000."

When the CU complained at the legalised process, asked for an informal process without lawyers and that it should not be subject to costs, Mr Shaw refused.

Dr May added: "Any criticism of this process by the CU resulted in a sharp response from Mr Shaw, together with claims that the CU was uncooperative.

"Only when the CU refused to continue with a process that could bankrupt it, was there a guarantee of no costs.

"Mr Shaw held that the guild was laudable' in its aims, the university had no responsibility for the discrimination against Christians, and that the CU was wrong to require that those leading the CU should be Christians.

"That position, he said, could be held by anyone of any faith or none, provided they agree to the objectives of the CU!

"In paragraph 92 (4) of his adjudication, Mr Shaw even goes on to suggest that on the Exeter University campus, the Welsh Society should be open to Scottish members, the wine society open to teetotal members, the choral society should be open to non-singing members, and the cheerleading society should be open to male members."

Dr May said the case has been closely watched by the Student Guild and Christian Unions at both Southampton and Winchester Universities.