Also, there’s a mistake in your article. It was the “Queer Youth Network” http://www.queeryouth.org.uk who were calling for a boycott, not “Queer Up North” http://www.queerupnorth.com which is actually an arts festival.

Has Souter spoken out on this issue yet?

Suter is a bigotted bastard. As is the power behind his throne, the sister Ann Gloag (she of the case recently against ramblers crossing her castle estate). But I have to say that whilst I personaly do tend to try to boycott them still, I don’t believe for a minute that the general culture of the staff is homophobic notwithstanding whatever isolated incidents you may have heard reported. As a result of that action in Oxford a decade ago we had lots of their staff expressing support and their union branch too. In fact I’d lay money that many of the drivers on our university contract which is with Stagecoach (hiss, spit and despite protests at the time the contract was up for grabs) are themselves gay or lesbian.

Boycott them by all means (we at least have a choice on most routes in Oxford) but don’t take it out on the ordinary staff members is all I would say!