Dozens of students staged a loud protest outside London’s School of Oriental and African Studies (Soas) yesterday in support of a victimised university library worker.

Soas library evening supervisor Chris Gutkind found himself facing disciplinary procedures after expressing his lack of confidence in a senior manager over workers’ conditions at the university last year.

Mr Gutkind — who has worked at Soas for over 15 years — expressed concerns about changes at the library and IT services potentially “exploiting” workers.

But the librarian and poet was not allowed an informal process to solve the dispute.

“I went straight to formal and that’s unethical and unfair. I think it’s because some people want to get rid of me,” said Mr Gutkind.

“I’ve given my all to this place for years.

“It would be a huge injustice if I’m sacked and show Soas does not value honest and passionate free speech about itself.”

Students and staff assembled at the university’s main entrance to show support for Mr Gutkind, who is known for humorous library announcements.

Soas’s famous samba band also joined the afternoon protest.

An email circulated on behalf of Soas principal and director Paul Webley said: “Please note that the school treats disciplinary matters with the utmost confidentiality and, therefore, I cannot comment on individual cases.

“I can, however, assure you that when the school invokes disciplinary proceedings, it does not do so lightly, and it does so in compliance with the agreed disciplinary procedures and with the Acas Code of Conduct.

“Individuals are informed that they have the right to be accompanied by a colleague or trade union representative and, should an investigation proceed to a disciplinary hearing, they have the opportunity to respond fully to the allegations.”