UK politicians support Imran Khan for Oxford Chancellor against British heavyweights

Conservative peer Lord Daniel Hannan and independent MPs Shockat Adam and Adnan Hussain have thrown their support behind the former prime minister Imran Khan to become the next Chancellor of the prestigious Oxford University.

Khan, who is incarcerated at Adiala jail in Rawalpindi, is competing against notable figures such as Peter Mandelson and William Hague.

Despite the odds, Hannan described Khan as a "towering figure" who would make a "superb chancellor" for the university.

“It says something about the state of democracy in Pakistan that he might be more able to fight an election in Britain, the country where he was educated and where he grew into the all rounder he is, than in Pakistan,” he said while talking to Middle East Eye.

Shockat Adam, the independent MP for Leicester South, echoed Hannan's sentiments, saying that Khan's appointment would be a "universal symbol of resistance".

“It would send a powerful message of hope and exemplify the notion that walls merely imprison one’s body but not one’s beliefs,” he added.

The 72-year-old politician's application to become Chancellor was submitted on August 19.

“Imran Khan had given instructions that he would like to submit his application and now the application scrutiny will take place,” PTI leader told AFP.

“It’s a ceremonial post but one with utmost prestige and importance and Imran Khan, being one of the larger or more popular names coming out of Oxford, it would be brilliant to see him as chancellor,” he added.

The election is set to take place in late October in a convocation of Oxford members and graduates of the university.

Mr Khan is an Alumni of Oxford University, who graduated from Keble College at the varsity in 1975. He read philosophy, politics, and economics during his time there and even captained the university’s cricket team.

Imran Khan had also served as the chancellor of Bradford University from 2005 to 2014.