Universities ordered to ban the hate preachers
‘Rooting out extremism’
DAVID Cameron last night demanded universities clamp down on hate preachers on campus to ‘protect impressionable young minds’.
From Monday, colleges will for the first time have a legal duty to put in place specific policies to stop extremists radicalising students. They will also have to tackle gender segregation at events and do more to support students at risk of radicalisation.
The Government’s new Extremism Analysis Unit revealed that at least 70 events featuring hate speakers were held on campuses last year.
They involved speakers known to have promoted rhetoric that aims to undermine core British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs. The unit named and shamed the worst offenders – Queen Mary, King’s College, SOAS (the School of Oriental and African Studies) and Kingston – all universities in London.
Security officials also have concerns about the number of young people being radicalised and travelling to join Islamic State jihadis.
The Government has urged the National Union of Students to drop its opposition to the anti-radicalisation strategy, which critics have claimed will create a culture of suspicion at academic institutions and could restrict freedom of speech.
Mr Cameron called on universities to do more to ensure their institutions did not become breeding grounds for terror. ‘I said in July that tackling extremism will be the struggle of our generation; one which we will defeat if we work together,’ he said.
‘All public institutions have a role to play in rooting out and challenging extremism. It is not about oppressing free speech or stifling academic freedom; it is about making sure that radical views and ideas are not given the oxygen they need to flourish.
‘Schools, universities and colleges, more than anywhere else, have a duty to protect impressionable young minds and ensure that our young people are given every opportunity to reach their potential.
‘That is what our one nation government is focused on delivering.’
Updated guidance has been sent to universities and sixth-form colleges and will come into force on Monday. It requires establishments to ensure they have proper risk-assessment processes for speakers and ensure those espousing extremist views do not go unchallenged.
The guidance also sets out that institutions must ensure they have appropriate IT policies and staff training in place to recognise and respond to the signs of radicalisation. It follows the imposition of similar duties on councils, prisons, NHS trusts and schools in July.
Universities minister Jo Johnson has written to the NUS, saying it is ‘disappointing’ to see opposition to the programme and underlining their responsibilities. He said: ‘Universities represent an important arena for challenging extremist views. It is important there can be active challenge and debate on issues relating to counter terrorism.’
Nicola Dandridge, chief executive of Universities UK, said institutions already had procedures in place before external speakers are given the green light to address students.