Rowers hit stormy waters as rape allegation hangs over Boat Race telegraph.co.uk - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from telegraph.co.uk Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Oxford University is embroiled in a rape scandal after a rower claimed she was attacked by another student athlete.
The woman says she reported the allegation to scientist Sir John Bell, the government adviser on Covid-19, who sits on the women s boat club s executive committee.
But she told The Times he diminished her allegation saying: It s a very toxic combination of alcohol and young athletes at university.
Last night, in an email to the Mail, Professor Bell contested the woman s recollection of their conversations.
The woman also said a senior disciplinary officer told her the university could not take action because she had not reported the matter to police.
Published:
3:35 PM March 8, 2021
Updated:
5:38 PM March 8, 2021
A crew from Cambridge University Boat Club training on the River Great Ouse at Ely for the first time ahead of this year s Boat Race.
- Credit: Terry Harris
Ely played host to crews from Cambridge University Boat Club for the first time this year as they prepare for next month’s Boat Race.
The Blue Boats took to the waters of the River Great Ouse on March 7 under strict Covid-19 guidelines from British Rowing and the Government.
It is the first time that Cambridge have been able to train on water since lockdown restrictions were introduced in November.