A former University of Cambridge student is reopening a case related to allegations of bullying against James Orr, a suspended senior figure at Reform UK and associate professor in the university’s Faculty of Divinity. The student contends that the university provided conflicting information regarding disciplinary actions taken against Orr.

The dispute dates back to a complaint the student filed after allegations of bullying were partially upheld by the university’s office of student conduct, complaints and appeals (OSCCA). The OSCCA directed Cambridge to pay £5,000 in compensation to the student for distress and tuition fees. The student also received an apology from Richard Rex, chair of the Faculty of Divinity’s board, who acknowledged the experience was “distressing” and “disruptive.” Following the compensation and apology, the case was closed.

However, the student has since challenged this closure after Orr, in an interview with a national newspaper, claimed he was unaware of the complaint findings or compensation and stated that no disciplinary action had been taken against him. The student asserts that Orr’s statements contradict the university’s claims that appropriate action was carried out, raising concerns about Cambridge’s compliance with its own disciplinary procedures.

The student, who left the doctoral program in January 2025 with a postgraduate certificate after passing a first-year upgrade exam, said the decision to withdraw was a direct result of their experience with Orr. They described the incident’s long-lasting effects on their confidence, academic motivation, and personal well-being.

“It has had long-lasting effects on my confidence and self-belief. It made me lose my passion for academic inquiry, and consequently a large part of my identity and passion for life,” the former student said in a recent social media post. They expressed a commitment to pursuing justice both for themselves and others who may have been affected by Orr’s conduct.

The scrutiny of Orr’s behaviour comes amid wider controversy. Earlier this month, Cambridge announced it was reviewing Orr’s conduct after he was linked to an incident involving an aide to Nigel Farage attempting to circumvent laws on foreign political donations. Orr has since been suspended from his role as Reform UK’s head of policy.

Cambridge responded to inquiries by noting that it maintains clear policies and procedures to protect students and staff but declined to comment on individual cases citing confidentiality rules.

Orr, meanwhile, told the media that he was “at a loss to know what any responsible supervisor could have done differently” and disputed the student’s version of events leading to the initial complaint.

At present, Orr has not publicly addressed the student’s decision to reopen the case. The university now faces renewed questions about its handling of bullying and academic negligence allegations involving a prominent member of its Faculty of Divinity.