Former British FM William Hague elected as Oxford University Chancellor

Former leader of the Conservative Party and England’s foreign minister William Hague has been elected as the next chancellor of the University of Oxford, which is largely a ceremonial role.

William Hague was named as successor to Chris Patten, Britain’s last governor of Hong Kong and a former senior Conservative politician, for what is seen as one of the grandest positions in higher education.

Hague beat off competition from the ex-Labour minister Peter Mandelson and three other candidates.

The Oxford University said that William Hague won a majority of support in the final round of voting for the post. It added that Hague will be 160th recorded chancellor in the university’s history, a role that dates back at least 800 years.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf founder Imran Khan had also applied for the position of chancellor in September at the prestigious university despite being incarcerated in corruption and other cases relating to incitement of violence during May 9 protests last year.

The VC seat had fallen vacant after the resignation of 80-year-old Lord Patten who stepped down from the post after serving for 21 years.