Students face new law to prevent ‘no-platforming’
As backlash grows over Oxford activists who snubbed Rudd...
UNIVERSITIES were yesterday given a final warning to guard free speech or face legislation amid a row over the snubbing of Amber Rudd by Oxford students.
Education Secretary Gavin Williamson threatened intervention against institutions that fail to defend democracy.
He also ordered Oxford University to take ‘robust action’ over ‘no-platforming’ – the policy of refusing to host particular speakers because they might cause offence. His threat came as politicians from all parties condemned the treatment of the former home secretary as ‘appalling’ and ‘disgraceful’.
Miss Rudd had been invited to speak at Oxford University by a student society on Thursday – but the event was cancelled minutes beforehand because of protests over her links to the Windrush scandal. Her barring came after Oxford historian Professor Selina Todd was blocked from appearing at a feminist festival last weekend following threats from trans-rights activists.
Mr Williamson said: ‘For two speakers to have been no-platformed at Oxford within a week is unacceptable. It is not enough to adopt free speech codes if they are not enforced. I expect the University of Oxford to take robust action over these incidents – and if universities are not prepared to defend free speech, the Government will.’
Last month Mr Williamson said he was considering greater regulation, possibly through law, if universities do not promote ‘unambiguous guidance’ on academic freedom and free speech. But Lord Patten, Oxford’s chancellor, insisted that institutions do not need Government interference.
‘I’m a passionate believer in free speech and I’m a passionate believer in the autonomy of universities to run their own affairs,’ he said. Lord Patten condemned the behaviour of students as an ‘appalling way to treat a very distinguished public servant’, and insisted that the university is committed ‘to freedom of speech under every circumstance, provided the speech is within the law’.
Thursday’s event was organised by the UNWomen Oxford UK society. But Miss Rudd arrived to an empty hall after Felicity Graham, president of society, was forced to cancel the event after a majority vote by its committee.
Miss Rudd resigned as home secretary over the Windrush scandal, which saw those of Caribbean heritage who arrived between 1948 and 1971 wrongly detained, threatened with deportation or wrongly refused re-entry to the UK.
Her daughter, journalist Flora Gill, tweeted: ‘Cannot believe mum was “no-platformed” at my old Uni yesterday. I don’t care if you disagree with her. It’s ****ing rude.’
Alan Rusbridger, former Guardian editor and now principal of Oxford’s Lady Margaret Hall, said: ‘Amber Rudd has many legitimate questions to answer about her role in the Windrush disgrace.
‘My plea to Oxford students is, “Ask them”. Disinviting her to speak at the last minute is a terrible missed opportunity as well as looking rude and blinkered.’