Walcott withdraws from race for Oxford University poetry post after anonymous letter campaign

Walcott withdraws from Oxford University contest

LONDON — Nobel literature laureate Derek Walcott has withdrawn from the contest for a prestigious position at Oxford University after anonymous letters criticizing him were sent to professors.

Oxford University confirmed the 79-year-old Walcott withdrew from the contest to appoint a Professor of Poetry.

British newspapers reported that the letters made reference to an allegation of sexual harassment made against the St. Lucia-born poet by a former student in the 1980s.

The anonymous letters included references from the book “The Lecherous Professor: Sexual Harassment on Campus,” by Billie Wright Dziech and Linda Weiner, which details the allegation made by a Harvard student, according to the London Evening Standard newspaper.

Walcott said in an interview published in the newspaper Tuesday that he would not comment on the sexual harassment claims.

“What happened 20 years ago, I have never commented upon and have never given my side of what happened. That will continue to be the case,” he said.

The poet added that he was disappointed “low tactics” had been used in the election.

Walcott’s rivals for the five-year post were Ruth Padel and Arvind Mehrotra. A vote by academics and graduates is expected Saturday.