Universities warned over free speech

Universities that “no-platform” controversial speakers will face intervention from the Government, the higher education minister will say today. Sam Gyimah warns that universities must stamp out their “institutional hostility” to unfashionable views as he prepares to issue new guidance on free speech. It comes after a series of attempts to censor speakers, including feminists and Conservative politicians, over fears their views may cause offence.

UNIVERSITIES that “noplatform” controversial speakers will face a government intervention on free speech for the first time in 30 years, the higher education minister will say today.

Sam Gyimah warns that universities must stamp out their “institutional hostility” to unfashionable views as he prepares to issue new guidance on free speech.

It will be the first Government intervention since the free speech duty imposed on universities, polytechnics and colleges, which was introduced as part of the Education Act in 1986.

Mr Gyimah’s intervention comes after a series of attempts to censor speakers, including gay rights activists, feminists and Conservative politicians, over concerns that their views may cause offence.

“A society in which people feel they have a legitimate right to stop someone expressing their views on campus simply because they are unfashionable or unpopular is rather chilling,” Mr Gyimah will say.

He will tell a free speech summit that the numerous pieces of disjointed guidance give rise to complexity, and risk being exploited by those wishing to stifle free speech. Universities must currently comply with the Equalities Act, Prevent and the new universities’ regulator, the Office for Students (OFS). Students’ unions are often registered charities, and so must comply with charity law.

Mr Gyimah will say that “bureaucrats or wreckers” at universities must be prevented from “exploiting gaps for their own ends”. He will promise to create a set of guidelines that will provide clarity of the rules for students and universities.

“No-platforming” is when a group or individuals seen to have offensive views are banned from a public debate or meeting. In 2015, students at Cardiff University tried to “no-platform” Germaine Greer, the feminist writer, on account of her comments about transgender people.

Meanwhile, “safe space” policies aim to ensure all students feel able to express themselves and are protected from views and language they find offensive, as well as discrimination.

Sir Michael Barber, the chairman of the OFS, said: “Our universities are places where free speech should always be promoted and fostered. That includes the ability for everyone to share views that may be challenging or unpopular, even if that makes some people feel uncomfortable.

“The Office for Students will always encourage freedom of speech within the law. We will never intervene to restrict it.”