Lord Chris Smith, the former Culture Secretary and Master of Pembroke College, has been elected chancellor of the University of Cambridge.

Smith won the chancellorship in a close battle with broadcaster Sandi Toksvig and Queens’ College president Mohammed El Erian, beating the latter’s vote tally by 2129 after all second-choice votes had been counted. Over 25,000 alumni voted in the election, which followed the Single Transferable Vote (STV) system.

Commenting on his victory, Smith stated: “To be elected as Chancellor of the University I love is a huge honour. I’m thrilled. I look forward to being the best possible ambassador for Cambridge, to being a strong voice for higher education more generally, and to working closely together with the Vice-Chancellor and her team”.

Among Smith’s other competitors were businesswoman and anti-Brexit activist Gina Miller (who ranked seventh) and former head of British Petroleum Lord Browne (ranked fourth).

Browne’s candidacy proved especially controversial due to his ties to the fossil fuels industry and his authorship of the Browne review, which supported a “market-driven” higher education model. This led to the “anyone but Browne” campaign to be launched, which gained the support of over 250 academics.

Smith’s pitch for the chancellorship was centred around a commitment to freedom of speech. In an interview with The Telegraph last month he criticised those who attempt to “no platform” controversial figures in the University, stating “Free speech is about allowing people to say controversial things, but then challenging them and debating with them.”

He has also supported the University’s use of legal action to shut down pro-Palestine encampments across Cambridge, citing the potential disruption to students’ exams they would have caused.

This comes as the University has applied for a 12-month extension to their current injunctions preventing students from occupying their head offices, including Senate House building, the site of graduations.

Smith retired as the Master of Pembroke College this summer – where he studied as an undergraduate – having held the post since 2015. Prior to his role at Cambridge, he served as Culture Secretary under the Blair government and MP for Islington South and Finsbury.

He became Britain’s first openly gay MP in 1984 after “coming out” at a rally in Rugby against the town council’s move to give itself the right to sack employees for being gay when he said: “Good afternoon. I’m Chris Smith, I’m the Labour MP for Islington South and Finsbury and I’m gay.”

The election campaign has not been without controversy. Fellow Chancellor candidate Gina Miller alleged that Lord Smith’s Campaign had engaged in a “serious breach” of electoral guidelines earlier this month, after a Linkedin account supporting his bid used the Cambridge University logo in its adverts.

According to the University’s guidelines, the Cambridge logo may not be used to imply University endorsement of any third parties in order to maintain impartiality. Miller said she was “shocked and concerned” by the use of the University logo in campaign material, and that it was a “wholly inappropriate,” move that “risks misleading voters into believing it is an official endorsement”.

The former Cabinet Minister has since clarified that he has no direct control over the account, stating: “I take the use of the University crest very seriously, and whilst I’m sure it was an inadvertent error on their part rather than an intentional act, I was very keen to ensure that it was removed at once. This has now happened.”

Candidates have also spent varying amounts on their respective campaigns. While Lord Smith and Lord Browne did not respond to repeated requests for figures, seven other candidates gave responses to Varsity.

Gina Miller declared the highest spending at around £5,000, which she said included video footage, LinkedIn promotion, and a discounted website. Mohamed El-Erian declined to give a figure but said he spent a “modest amount” on his campaign, with Varsity understanding some video content was produced with paid support from the social media influencer, Oliver’s Oxford.

Sandi Toksvig reported spending “not a single pound,” with her campaign messages posted almost entirely via Christ’s College Master Lord Simon McDonald’s social media.

Tony Booth estimated an expenditure of around £500 on venue hire and public events, while Professor Wyn Evans said he relied solely on volunteers, calling the absence of spending limits a “mistake” and warning the Chancellorship “is not a rich man’s plaything”.

Other candidates, Mark Mann and Ali Azeem, also said they spent nothing, while Dr Ayham Ammora’s contact details could not be located.

Commenting on Smith’s appointment, Professor Deborah Prentice, the Vice-Chancellor, said: “On behalf of everyone at the University, I offer my warm congratulations to Chris on his election. I very much look forward to working with him and building on the strong relationship that we have developed since I became Vice-Chancellor.

“Chris has had a long involvement with the University and brings a wealth of relevant experience to this important role. I would like to thank the other nine candidates for standing for the role and their willingness to serve Cambridge,” she continued.