MP’S request for lecturers’ names an ‘academic inquiry’

A TORY MP who sent a letter to universities asking them to provide details of what they are teaching their students about Brexit regrets his decision and was simply researching for a book, an education minister has said.

Jo Johnson, the Universities Minister, said the letter penned by Chris Heaton-harris, a Government whip, “should probably not have been sent”.

Mr Johnson insisted Mr Heaton-harris had been acting in his capacity as an MP and not on behalf of the Government, while the request was based on purely academic intentions.

The letter was decried by critics as “Leninism” and an attack on academic freedom, but it also sparked fears that students are being brainwashed by Remain-supporting lecturers.

Mr Johnson defended Mr Heatonharris, describing him as a “super cerebral” MP with a long-standing interest in European affairs, and the letter was part of inquiries “that may in time lead to a book on these questions”.

Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, Mr Johnson said: “It was more of an academic enquiry rather than an attempt to constrain the freedom that academics rightly have.”

He continued: “I’m sure Chris is regretting this very much and I think the critical thing is that the Government is absolutely committed to academic freedom and to freedom of speech in our university system.”

Mr Heaton-harris asked all vicechancellors if they would supply the names of professors teaching European affairs “with particular reference to Brexit” along with copies of their syllabus and links to online lectures.

The letter prompted accusations of “Mccarthyism” from some academics, but supporters said vice-chancellors were guilty of “false outrage” after being “rumbled” for indoctrinating students with their anti-brexit views.