University of Bath investigates claims a sports club planned to spike students' drinks
The University of Bath is commissioning an independent investigation into social media allegations that members of a sports club planned to spike female students' drinks in Freshers' Week. The rugby club denies organising any such activity, and the university says no spiking incidents have been reported.
Updated (version 2). Rewritten with the latest reporting. Previously: “University of Bath commissions probe into claims of planned drink spiking by sports club”.
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The story, neutrally told
The University of Bath has launched an investigation into allegations that members of a sports club planned to spike the drinks of female students during Freshers' Week. MetroLC “The University of Bath has launched an investigation into allegations that members of a sports club planned to spike the drinks of female students” Read at Metro ↗ The claims spread after screenshots of a message from an anonymous student, who said they overheard men talking about spiking them and their friends at a pub. MetroLC “said that they overheard young men talking about spiking them and their friends at a pub” Read at Metro ↗ The Daily Mail reports the message named 'rugby guys' at the Royal Oak pub. Daily MailR “Rugby guys in the Royal Oak were talking about spiking me, my mates and other girls.” Read at Daily Mail ↗
In a statement on Tuesday the university said no incidents of drink spiking had been reported, but that it takes the allegations 'extremely seriously'. MetroLC “no incidents of drink spiking had been reported” Read at Metro ↗ It is commissioning an independent investigation to establish the facts and says student disciplinary measures will be applied if wrongdoing is found. MetroLC “We are commissioning an independent investigation into the specific allegations circulating on social media to establish the facts.” Read at Metro ↗ Daily MailR “If evidence of wrongdoing is found, it added 'robust' disciplinary measures will be enforced.” Read at Daily Mail ↗ It is also starting a wider review of sports club culture with the students' union, and said the situation had been frightening for many students, particularly women. MetroLC “We are also beginning a wider review of the culture around our sports clubs, alongside The SU” Read at Metro ↗ Daily MailR “this situation has been frightening for many students, particularly women who are now concerned about their own safety when going out in Bath.” Read at Daily Mail ↗
The rugby club and students' union said in a joint statement that the club had not organised, promoted or attempted to arrange any such activity. Daily MailR “We have not organised, promoted, or attempted to arrange any activity of this nature,” Read at Daily Mail ↗ MetroLC “saying they were aware of the concerns but” Read at Metro ↗ The university also voiced concern about reports of abuse directed at sports club members while due process is carried out. Daily MailR “It is really important that all our students' well-being and safety is respected while due process is carried out.” Read at Daily Mail ↗ A new student group, Bath Against SA, has formed and is planning a public demonstration. MetroLC “is planning a public demonstration” Read at Metro ↗
The Daily Mail adds that the university said it stepped up security at nightclubs and other venues over the weekend, and recalls that the men's rugby team was barred from Varsity 2020 after complaints of misconduct. Daily MailR “it said it 'stepped up' security in nightclubs and other venues over the weekend.”“In 2020, the men's rugby union team was banned by the SU from taking part in the annual University of Bath Varsity” Read at Daily Mail ↗
Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on.
Left1 outlet
- Framing
- Reports the university's response and investigation, keeping the club unnamed in the headline and lede.
- Emphasis
- The university's statement, the new student group Bath Against SA and the planned demonstration.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Does not quote the message itself, the pub, or the 2020 rugby Varsity ban.
- For example
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“The University of Bath has launched an investigation into allegations that members of a sports club planned to spike the drinks of female students” — Metro
Centre0 outlets
No centre outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.
Right1 outlet
- Framing
- Leads with the rugby team, presenting the claims as a plot at a pub and adding the club's disciplinary history.
- Emphasis
- The leaked message, the rugby club's past misconduct and the 2020 Varsity ban.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Does not mention Bath Against SA or the planned demonstration.
- Charged language
- “plotted to spike drinks”“on the prowl”
- For example
-
“Bath University rugby team 'plotted to spike drinks of female students at pub': Probe is launched” — Daily Mail
What every side reports
- The university launched an independent investigation into social media allegations of planned spiking during Freshers' Week.
- The allegations stem from an anonymous student's message about men overheard at a pub.
- The rugby club and students' union said the club had not organised or promoted any such activity.
- The university announced a wider review of sports club culture and voiced concern over abuse of club members.
Where accounts differ
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Whether the allegations are tied to the rugby club
- Left
- Refers to 'a sports club' in the headline and lede, mentioning the rugby club only in its response.
- Right
- Names the rugby team in the headline and says the message referred to 'rugby guys'; the allegations remain unverified.
University of Bath organisation
Says it takes the allegations extremely seriously, has commissioned an independent investigation and a wider review, and notes no spiking incidents have been reported.
“We are commissioning an independent investigation into the specific allegations circulating on social media to establish the facts.” — Metro
Left1 article
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MetroLC ·
University of Bath investigating claims sports club ‘planned to spike female students’
Neutral Straightforward account of the university's response and student reaction, not naming the club at the outset.
Centre0 articles
No coverage yet.
Right1 article
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Bath University rugby team 'plotted to spike drinks of female students at pub': Probe is launched
Critical Names the rugby team up front and adds its history of disciplinary problems, with a more dramatic tone.
- 29 Sep 15:10 First MetroLC University of Bath investigating claims sports club ‘planned to spike female students’
- 30 Sep 01:25 +10h 15m Daily MailR Bath University rugby team 'plotted to spike drinks of female students at pub': Probe is launched
Times are when each article was published, or when we first saw it if the outlet gave no time.