Criminologist Professor James Treadwell
A university academic has been told he is being investigated for alleged transphobia – but has no idea what he is supposed to have said that has caused offence.
Criminologist Professor James Treadwell was informed by his employer Staffordshire University yesterday that official complaints have been made about comments he has made on Twitter.
The distressed lecturer spoke out on Twitter on Wednesday, revealing he was 'angry and upset' but has 'no details of what is alleged'.
He jokingly added that it was a 'good job cancel culture is just a myth'.
The academic stressed that he believes that transgender people 'like all people deserve dignity and respect', but that 'academics giving their personal views do too'.
Professor Treadwell, who has worked at the university since 2017, said he had also been complained about for 'denying the reality of Satanic ritual abuse' – a reference to tweets of his last summer in which he disputed the unsubstantiated phenomenon.
Speaking exclusively to MailOnline, Professor Treadwell repeated that he does not know why he is being investigated, but believes his university are obligated to do so after receiving a complaint.
He added: 'In the world today it would be nice if people could walk a mile in other people's shoes a little bit more.
'The last couple of years have been hard on everybody. You can cause offence when none is intended. I haven't really got more any more to say.'
A university spokesman confirmed to MailOnline that an investigation is underway and said they are committed to 'equality, diversity and inclusion'.
They added they are 'equally' committed to academic freedom.
The investigation comes after other academics have been targeted in recent months for alleged transphobia.
In October, Sussex University feminist philosopher Professor Kathleen Stock quit her job following a 'bullying and harassment' campaign carried out by students accusing her of transphobia.
Just days later, Open University academic Professor Jo Phoenix, who is also a criminologist, described how she was compared to a 'racist uncle at a Christmas dinner table' after she aired views about the silencing of academic debate on transgender issues.
Professor Treadwell said in a series of tweets yesterday that he was told by his employer Staffordshire University that he is being investigated for alleged transphobia - but has no idea what the complaint refers to. The distressed lecturer said he was 'angry and upset' but has 'no details of what is alleged'
Professor Treadwell spoke out online yesterday evening about the probe being carried out by Staffordshire University.
He wrote in a Twitter thread: 'Ok to hell with it. I have been told by my employer @StaffsUni albeit only verbally that I am being investigated for Transphobia after formal and official complaints about my Twitter conduct.
'Read my tweets. Go figure. It's a good job cancel culture is just a myth though, right.
'I am angry and upset. Not only do I have no details of what it is alleged, I honestly have tried to be balanced and reasonable and promote fair debate.
'Lete [sic] be clear again, Trans people like all people deserve dignity and respect. Academics giving their personal views do too.'
He added: This is where we are at in debates now. This is the landscape academics operate in. I am a pretty legally savvy one who tries to act respectfully and decently.
'Hell yes I can be brusk, opinionated and stubborn. But I respect anyone's right to disagree and hold a different view.
'But we have entered a place where that isn't enough. Oddly literally nobody has approached me directly to debate my stance or views.
'They have clearly however gone to my employer wanting me sanctioned or sacked. Nice to know that this is how open and inclusive the politics is.'
Speaking to MailOnline after the tweets emerged, Professor Treadwell said: 'I've got to be very careful.
Speaking exclusively to MailOnline, Professor Treadwell repeated that he does not know why he is being investigated, but believes his university are obligated to do so after receiving a complaint
'I don't know the nature of what is happening. I have a feeling that potentially that they are obligated to investigate.'
'All I've been told by the university is that they have received complaints that they have to investigate and I don't really know more than that.
'I know it is around alleged transphobia on
