Tory MP in ‘Mccarthy’ storm over Brexit letter to universities

Downing Street has distanced itself from a Tory whip accused of “Mccarthyism” over a letter to universities which requested the names of professors teaching about Brexit.

Chris Heatonharris, MP for Daventry, faced fierce criticism after the “sinister” request – sent to vicechancellors across the country – came to light.

The Leave campaigner also asked institutions to supply copies of their syllabuses and links to online lectures covering the topic.

Universities in Scotland including Edinburgh, Heriotwatt and Glasgow Caledonian said they had received the letter. Staff at the University of Aberdeen were asked to comply with the request under Freedom of Information rules.

Professor David Green, vicechancellor at the University of Worcester, said he “felt a chill down my spine” while reading the letter, and asked: “Was this the beginnings of a very British Mccarthyism?”

Prime Minister Theresa May’s spokesman said Mr Heatonharris had not been acting as a gov

0 Professor David Green received the letter, which he criticised ernment representative. The spokesman said: “What the Prime Minister has always been very clear on is her respect for the freedom and independence of universities and the role they play in creating open and stimulating debate.

“Free speech is one of the foundations on which our universities are built and, of course, it should be protected.”

Prof Green said he had not heard of Mr Heatonharris before receiving the letter, but discovered the MP previously described himself as a Eurosceptic.

Prof Green said: “I realised that his letter just asking for information appears so innocent but is really so, so danger ous. Here is the first step to the thought police, the political censor and Newspeak, naturally justified as ‘the will of the British people’, another phrase to be found on Mr HeatonHarris’s website.” But House of Commons Leader Andrea Leadsom dismissed suggestions that the letter was “sinister”.

She said: “Chris has made clear that he believes in free speech. Universities are bastions of free speech. That is a courteous letter asking for information.”

Mr Heatonharris tweeted yesterday: “To be absolutely clear, I believe in free speech in our universities and in having an open and vigorous debate on Brexit.”