The Canadian psychology professor Jordan Peterson has told The Times that he will no longer pose for photographs with fans wearing “provocative political garb” after losing his offer of a visiting fellowship at the University of Cambridge.

In a lengthy response to a recent row over his appointment and its rescindment, he defended his views, saying that they have saved lives by helping those struggling with “hopelessness sufficient to motivate suicide” to carry on living.

“I am trying to shore up the self-confidence of lost and desperate people all over the world,” he said. “There are a lot of them dying, literally, for a word of encouragement. I’m that word of encouragement, and hundreds have told me that they have decided to fight on despite