Bring Back Tim Hunt!

As one who has also done so in the past I think his only error was to slightly misjudge the sense of humour of others.

Freedom of speech, freedom to be allowed to make a joke of questionable quality! Freedom to talk about personal observations (which are also scientifically backed).

As usual, everything was inflated well out of proportion.

I have worked in science, and I'm sure we still still don't have equality for the sexes when it comes to jobs, however Tim Hunt merely made an observation and his intentions were innocent. This has been blown out of proportion.

Reinstate tim

"Writing in the Daily Telegraph, Boris Johnston said: “Sir Tim Hunt was doing what he had done all his life – pointing out a natural phenomenon he had observed. He did not deserve to be pilloried, and should be reinstated forthwith to his academic positions.”

It's ridiculous that a Nobel prize winning scientist should have his career ruined because of a stupid joke. Anyone would think he was advocating genocide.

It is UCL who should be ashamed. Not Sir Tim Hunt.

REVOKE TIM HUNT'S "RESIGNATION" DECISION. He was a man of great character who did much more for equality and humankind than the people who asked for the resignation. This was unjustly perpetrated.

This is a nightmarish witch hunt. I hope this petition helps this wondeful scientist ... and Man (whom I know and who is simply not what this "journalist" describes!)

Persecution of Tim Hunt because of a not-so-funny joke, is not only highly disrespectful of a person who has dedicated his life to science and human health, it also does more damage than good to the cause of gender equality. Please respond with equally bad -or better- jokes, rather than excessive, misplaced and non-reflective attacks.

AS a British citizen I am appalled that a British University should persecute a world renowned scientist for a simple jocular remark, given his immense contribution to international welfare. He should be re-instated at once.

Tim: I feel very sorry what happened to you and shame about UCL. You belong to the Good Ones.

This person, like every person, should have the opportunity to explain his actions. I don't think the punishment was judicious or thoughtful, or effective for creating equality.

Regardless of what one thinks of Tim Hunt's remarks, it is clear that he has been treated without any sense of proportion. Media reports indicate that he was pressured to resign within days of his remarks, without right of explanation, or discussion of alternative disciplinary proceedings, should they be necessary. Given the glacial speed at which scientific research proceeds, the urgency with which University College acted would be laughable - worthy perhaps of "The Thick of It" - if the outcome were not so tragic. Those who exerted pressure on Prof. Hunt to resign probably did it hoping to protect their institution from damaging allegations of sexism, but it is difficult to avoid the conclusion that the pressure exerted was an amateur attempt to manage an awkward story, and the reaction was ultimately borne out of fear, which rarely leads to good decision making. UCL should apologize to Prof. Hunt for clumsily pressuring him to resign, and invite him to withdraw his resignation. UCL should also reflect on the fact that their hasty reaction to adverse press sends a poor message to other academics - make a mistake, or say something unpopular, and we won't hesitate to drop you like a stone in the name of media management.

These feminist-led witch hunts need to stop!

All self-respecting academics at UCL should leave this cowardly institution which fears feminist hysteria and shows contempt for scientific excellence.

He deserved gentle ridicule, not being ritually crucified

From religious inquisition to ideological inquisition, humanity really does not change.

What he was a stupid, perhaps he believes what he said. But the result has been OTT and has not one positive outcome.