Jordan Peterson, a psychology professor with controversial views on gender, race and political correctness, was offered a visiting fellowship by Cambridge only for it to be withdrawn within 48 hours.

On Monday Professor Peterson, who believes that white privilege is a myth, announced on his YouTube channel that he was looking forward to coming to the faculty of divinity for two months this year. He said that it would “give me the opportunity to talk to religious experts of all types for a couple of months, as well as students”.

Yesterday a university spokesman said that he would no longer be coming. “We can confirm that Jordan Peterson requested a visiting fellowship and an initial offer has been rescinded after a further review,” he said.