The speaker slated for this year’s University of Regina Woodrow Lloyd Lecture has withdrawn his presentation.

The U of R says Canadian poet George Elliott Clarke was slated to be this year’s speaker, but was not supported by all.

It is said that Clarke has edited poetry by Stephen Brown, who changed his name from Steven Kummerfield, and was convicted of manslaughter in the beating death of Pamela George near the Regina airport in 1995.

The University said in a release that it recognizes that the original decision to bring Clarke in as this year’s Woodrow Lloyd lecturer was not supported by all communities and unfortunately brought back painful memories for many.

The U of R says Clarke told the school Friday morning that he will not participate in the lecture and the Faculty of Arts has stated it will not be looking for a replacement.

The university is reaching out to Indigenous leaders, elders and groups to have some open discussions on the situation. These discussions will not be open to the public.