'Queer migrant' Green politician fails in bid to become rector of historic university

The rector is one of the most distinctive and historic roles at the Scottish university.

They serve as president of the University Court for three years, representing the interests of students at the highest level of the St Andrew's governance.

Actor Brian Baumgartner, who is most known for his role as Kevin Malone in the US version of The Office, came second after receiving 1,553 votes.

Dr Arthur Bernhoff, a St Andrews graduate and Ministry of Defence analyst, was elected as the new rector of the Fife university after clinching 3,135 votes.

St Andrews said this year's election saw the “biggest response” in recent history, with turnout at just under 45 per cent, almost double the turnout in the last vote in 2023.

Returning officer Mike Gettinby put the record-breaking turnout down to the “engaged and positive” campaigns by the candidates.

After being election rector, Dr Bernhoff said he was "honoured and humbled by the level of support" he received and vowed to be "accessible to all students of our vastly diverse student body".

Manivannan sparked fury over the summer after speaking out about the “demonisation of rape” and claimed rape existed on a “spectrum”.

The 30-year-old responded to the furious backlash by instead claiming the comments had been taken out of context.

The Edinburgh MSP said: “This clip has been clearly misrepresented and taken out of context from a much longer interview.

"As a survivor of sexual violence, who has spoken openly about my recovery, I am clear that we need to focus on reducing the likelihood of perpetrators of rape reoffending.

“The point I made about demonisation was that not all rapists fit a stereotype, and that all kinds of men can and do commit it."

The politician added: “When talking about a spectrum I was making the point that laws often take a narrow definition of what rape and sexual violence is, which often allows it to continue without consequence.

"A full viewing of the interview clarifies this. In a country where rape has the lowest conviction rates of any crime, and reoffending continues, this is an urgent and important conversation we need to have in Scotland.”

After being elected to Holyrood in May 2026, the Green MSP came under fire after it emerged the activist stood while only holding a student visa.

Manivannan, who pushed for Scottish taxpayers to fund reparations to the Palestinian people, was fundraising to pay for a graduate visa despite MSPs earning £77,711 a year.

The elected representative also owns a £250,000 home in India.

Buyers could secure a four or five-bedroom detached villa with its own garden and parking for such a figure in Manivannan's hometown of Chennai, while £250,000 would likely stretch to a one-bedroom flat in Edinburgh.