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A petition has been launched calling for Ann Widdecombe to be stripped of her honorary University of Birmingham doctorate.

The Change.org petition follows calls from Labour peer Andrew Adnis, who criticised the Brexit Party MEP for comparing Brexit to slaves rising up "against their owners" in a fiery address to the European Parliament.

More than 15,000 names have been added to the petition, which has a target of 25,000.

The petition reads: "Ann Widdecombe has recently made the news regarding her belief that homosexuality can be "cured".

"These comments stem from beliefs Ann has held throughout her time in parliament (here,here and here). In 2012, Ann Widdecombe was awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of Birmingham.

"We the undersigned do not believe that Ann's comments reflect the values of the University or of the University's student body.

"We believe that her comments are incredibly hostile towards the LGBT+ community, and such comments foster an unsafe and alienating environment which negatively affects the community by giving legitimacy towards the notion that being LGBT+ is a choice.

"This is categorically untrue and her continuing to hold a doctorate at the university only perpetuates this notion."

The petition adds: "We also believe that an honorary doctorate is a great privilege; not an inherent right and is something that should only be bestowed upon an individual who embodies the spirit of the university, something which Ann's recent comments and history run contrary to.

"We therefore believe that Ann should be stripped of her honorary doctorate as she does not embody the spirit of the university, either, historically or in the present and ask the Vice-chancellor to do this as soon as possible."

Adonis calls

Vice Chair of European Movement and ex-Transport Secretary Adonis took to Twitter on Friday to slam Widdecombe, writing: "Ann Widdecombe has honorary degrees from the universities of Bath & Birmingham.

"If I were on the Council of these universities, I would wish to see these degrees removed after her despicable comments about same sex relationships & our European partners."

The former Conservative minister was making her maiden address to the parliament in Strasbourg in the wake of elections which saw a series of top EU jobs allocated behind closed doors, saying the process is "just one of many reasons" why she hopes the UK leaves by the Halloween deadline.

Following negotiations by political leaders, little-known Italian socialist David Sassoli was chosen as president of the new parliament, while German defence minister Ursula von der Leyen was nominated to lead the EU Commission.

Standing alongside Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage, Ms Widdecombe said: "If I needed any convincing at all that the best thing for Britain was to leave here as soon as possible, it was the way that those elections were conducted yesterday.

"Because if that is this place's idea of democracy then that is a serious betrayal of every country that is represented here."

She continued: "There is a pattern that is present throughout history of oppressed people turning against their oppressors: Slaves against their owners. The peasantry against the feudal barons.

She then specifically called out the parliament's Brexit co-ordinator, Guy Verhofstadt, when she referenced "colonies" rising "against their empires".

"And that is why Britain is leaving, and it doesn't matter which language you use: we are going, and we are glad to be going," she continued.

Ms Widdecombe closed the speech with: "Nous allons, wir gehen, we're off."

After the speech, Labour MP David Lammy tweeted: "Anne Widdecombe just compared Britain leaving the EU to "slaves" rising up "against their owners".

"It is impossible to explain how offensive and ahistorical it is for you to equate my ancestors tearing off their chains with your small-minded nationalist project. Shame on you."

Fellow Labour MP Dr Rosena Allin-Khan tweeted: "It is disgusting that Ann Widdecombe would reference slavery and colonisation to describe our relationship with the EU. Her and Farage are bankrolled by elites - she's part of the establishment which has created such a divide in this country."

And Mr Verhofstadt responded: "Nigel Farage facing some stiff competition as chief clown of the Brexit Party in the @Europarl-EN. By the way, when Widdecombe talks about "colonies liberating themselves from their empires", is she really referring to the American Revolution of 1776?"

Ms Widdecombe's statement comes two days after her party's MEPs turned their backs on the EU's anthem, Ode to Joy, on the opening day of the legislature.

Tuesday marked the opening of the new five-year session of the parliament, though it remains in doubt how long the UK will remain involved.

UK MEPs may sit in the parliament until the country formally leaves the EU.

A deadline of October 31 has currently been set for the UK to leave, though this could be extended if a deal is not found by then.