INTERNATIONAL fury over anti-LGBT laws has led to the Sultan of Brunei handing back an honorary Oxford University degree.

In April the institution confirmed the decision to confer the degree of civil law by diploma to Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah in 1993 would be reconsidered, following calls from tens of thousands of people. 

It came after widespread condemnation of new anti-LGBT laws in the country, which include punishing gay sex by stoning 'offenders' to death.

Oxford's MPs Layla Moran and Anneliese Dodds both wrote to Oxford University urging them to strip him of the degree, while a petition calling for the same response gathered more than 100,000 signatures.

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Oxford West and Abingdon MP Ms Moran said the Sultan of Brunei’s choice to hand in his degree was 'necessary but not sufficient.'

She added: "While I’m glad pressure from across the community had led to this necessary step, it is clearly not sufficient.

"LGBTQ+ people are still very much at risk and we must be a proud voice that stands up for everyone in our community.

"Oxford University now has a chance to redeem itself and move past being tied to such gross violations of human rights.

"They can be exemplary in campaigning for not only the LGBTQ+ students they have let down but the community as a whole.

"I think it is best the University should undertake a thorough review of their honorary degree system to ensure a scandal like this doesn’t happen again."

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Oxford University said it wrote to the Sultan last month 'in the light of concerns about the new Penal Code in Brunei,' asking for his views.

It added that he responded on May 6 with his decision to return the degree.