Blackwatch director gets second chance

27/04/2009

Gregory Burke gets degree 20 years after he was banned from campus

Stirling University has dropped its grudge with a celebrated Scots playwright, awarding Gregory Burke an honorary degree 20 years after he was banned from the campus.

The writer, whose most recent play Black Watch won the Writers' Guild Award for Best New Play and worldwide acclaim, received the ban after attacking a fellow student in his younger days.

Although he was allowed to attend lectures and visit the library, Burke eventually dropped out of his politics course.

A spokeswoman for the university said everyone was entitled to a "second chance".

He is due to receive the honorary degree from Stirling University in November.

She said: "This happened a long time ago and we think it's only fair that everybody is given a second chance in life. The appropriate action was taken at the time and any award now, which is almost 20 years later, is based on his achievements since then."

He is due to receive the honorary degree from Stirling University in November.