Oxford Union Treasurer and presidential candidate Rosalie Chapman was identified by police as the owner of a WhatsApp number used to send anonymous messages which accused her Michaelmas 2024 election opponent of “inappropriate behaviour”. The messages were later deemed to be electoral malpractice by an internal Union tribunal, but no disciplinary action was taken because the sender’s identity was unknown.
This incident was also subsequently reported to Thames Valley Police which resulted in an investigation for harassment against Chapman. Cherwell understands that Chapman had a voluntary interview under caution with police earlier this year but exercised her right to remain silent throughout. Following this, police ultimately determined that there was not enough evidence to charge her for either harassment or an Online Safety Act violation.
The WhatsApp messages were sent under the alias ‘Grace’, with at least 25 individuals sent messages by the number. These messages accused her opponent of behaving “inappropriately towards some of [my] friends” and of using an unofficial Postgraduate Union discussion group to campaign unfairly.
Chapman, who is running to be President in the Society’s upcoming elections said in a statement on Instagram: “I’ve stayed silent throughout months of relentless misogynistic abuse, harassment and slander – not any longer. Over the last 3 months, I’ve been dehumanised and humiliated in a place I once felt safe in.”
She went on to recount experiences of being “verbally assaulted” in the Union bar, saying: “This is not about accountability, it is about targeted, sexist and humiliating campaign designed to break me.” Chapman went on to say: “Such behaviour is never acceptable, and backing down from who I am and what I stand for will only validate those retrograde and regressive individuals and their beliefs.”
A motion of no confidence was recently brought in Chapman, but it failed to reach the 150 signatures required under the Union’s rules to bring about a poll of all members on the matter.
Chapman was first contacted by police in early 2025, eventually attending a voluntary interview on 23 April. The next day, on 24 April, police closed the investigation, stating that the evidence was not strong enough.
An email from Thames Valley Police, viewed by Cherwell, confirmed that “further enquiries identified Ms Rosalie Chapman as the owner and likely user of the ‘Grace’ profile”. However, they made clear that not answering questions “does not imply guilt in law” and that she remains “innocent from a legal perspective”.
The police had considered the case both for the offence of harassment under the Protection from Harassment Act 1997, as well as under Section 179 of the Online Safety Act 2023, which covers sending false communications with intent to cause harm. A review of the evidence by a police sergeant and a detective sergeant determined that the threshold for prosecution had not been met.
The Union told Cherwell: “The Oxford Union is unable to comment on police investigations. As a private members’ society, we conduct all internal affairs – including electoral processes and disciplinary matters – according to our established rules and procedures.
“These processes, which include confidential tribunals, are designed to uphold the integrity and fairness of Union elections. As such, we do not comment on the specifics of tribunal proceedings.”
Thames Valley Police was contacted for comment.
