Maddie gets put on the Union rack

By Jonathan Tomlin

The student who boasted of her “great rack” in her draft manifesto for Librarian at the Oxford Union has been summoned to a disciplinary committee at the society

Madeline Grant has been accused of bringing the Union into disrepute after speaking to the media amid controversy over the reference to her body.

A campaign statement posted at the Union at the end of last term contained the slogan: “I don’t hack, I just have a great rack.”

The second year English student at St Hilda’s, who is also the daughter of former BBC sports presenter Sally Jones, said at the time that she made the joke to “satirise” all the people running for the Union who “take it very seriously”.

Grant later replaced her “rack” comment with: “I’m just here for the craic”, referring to the Irish word for fun.

Her manifesto also claimed that she was “committed to helping members pull”, had received a “hug ‘n’ kiss” from actor Johnny Depp, and dated a “shady Japanese businessman” for sponsorship for a Union ball.

Isabel Ernst, President of the Oxford Union, said: “Madeline Grant breached the Union rules by speaking to the press without written permission from the President.

“It is the President’s and Standing Committee’s task to make sure the rules are upheld, and the President is thus obliged to bring action against her.”

Since hearing of the disciplinary committee, she has spoken to The Daily Telegraph’s Mandrake, attacking the Union’s response. Grant accused the Union of wasting money on the tribunal, saying: “It’s ridiculous. At great expense, they are paying for former Union officials to come to Oxford and sit on the committee which will decide my fate.”

But Ernst refuted the claim: “The disciplinary hearing will only consist of ex-Officers who are still in Oxford, so will be at no cost to the Union or Union members.”

The disciplinary meeting is able to impose a fine of up to £100, suspend membership for up to a term, or refer the case to a more senior disciplinary hearing.

Grant spoke to several national newspapers following the scandal, and also wrote a column in The Sunday Times.

Grant added: “I’m wondering if I should leave the Union. The main speakers they have lined up are Geri Halliwell and Nelly Furtado, so I wouldn’t miss much.”

Her election campaign for Librarian was unsuccessful. Grant declined to comment.