King’s College London in University Challenge row after capping number of men on their quiz team
The students' union want to 'combat the male-dominated landscape'
A STUDENTS union has caused a storm by capping the number of men on its University Challenge team.
King’s College London leaders insist they must have more women, trans or non-genders.
They want to “combat the male-dominated landscape” of Jeremy Paxman’s BBC Two quiz show.
They sent out an email appeal saying at least half its team of four plus one reserve should not be men.
The last time King's appeared on University Challenge was in 2009 with a team of four men who were knocked out in the second round.
Students of the prestigious college - part of the University of London - are thought to be up in arms at the move and have accused the union of sexism against men.
Jasmin Coggins, 23, said: “We should make the teams more representative without forcing equality.”
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Another called the move “blatantly prejudiced” and “sexist”.
King’s was last on long-running University Challenge in 2009 with a team of four men who were knocked out in the second round.
King’s students’ union said: “We’re keen to make sure our team is representative of our student body and as diverse as King’s students.”
The news comes just weeks after Reading University's student union voted to boycott the show over allegations host Jeremy Paxman made "sexist comments".
Paxman said he was "baffled" by the accusation which appeared to be based on a joke he made about a team's knitted mascot which was named after him.
He is said to have asked the team whether they took it to bed with them.