THE University of London (UoL) has been accused of ignoring a series of sexual assaults against students in its halls. 

The allegations come as students at UoL intercollegiate halls prepare to withhold rent next month as part of a nationwide university rent strike — predicted to be the largest in over four decades. 

Strike organiser Emerson Murphy told the Morning Star that the university has been “negligent when it comes to protecting the mental health and wellbeing of students living in halls.”

He said that allegations of sexual assault had gone “ignored” by the warden, including in a case where a maintenance worker was accused.

Mr Murphy said that a female student was left “traumatised” after the male worker entered her room without permission, to carry out work while she was half-dressed.

Mr Murphy said that the worker thrust his foot in the door when the student’s boyfriend, who was also in the room, attempted to shut him out.

He said that the student’s emails calling for an investigation into the incident were repeatedly ignored until an apology was finally received from the warden, but that a probe has yet to be launched. 

Mr Murphy said that other cases have been reported to the university, but that it is “not taking these claims seriously.” 

He said that its ignoring of “incredibly disturbing cases of sexually assault” and the way that it “has almost put them on the backburner, making victims wait months for an investigation, is disgraceful.”

“These cases have happened on the university’s watch yet the victims have been all-but abandoned.” 

In a statement, UoL said: “We are confident that we don’t have any unresolved complaints and are committed to providing our residents with a safe place to live.”

Last week the Star reported that UoL students faced threats of expulsion and eviction from their halls over “minor disciplinary issues,” including not wearing a mask. 

Students at the UoL pay some of the highest rents in the country, with rooms costing £10,000 a year — £230 a week.

Rent-strike campaigners at the university are demanding a 40 per cent rent reduction.

So far, the university faces rent losses of up to £200,000 from students who have pledged to withhold their rent next month.

But Mr Murphy said that the campaign is aiming to sign up more students over the next week, which could make the total losses even higher. 

Thousands of students are preparing to join a national rent strike next month at 20 universities amid growing frustration at tight lockdowns in halls, with students paying huge costs for empty rooms and little face-to-face teaching next year.