University free speech society wants to vet guest’s speech!

A UNIVERSITY free speech society has been told its inaugural speaker must submit his speech for vetting – or cancel the event.

The Liberate the Debate society at the University of Sussex invited Ukip MEP Bill Etheridge to give a talk, but the plans have now been hijacked by students’ union officials.

The union said the talk on libertarianism and free speech was deemed ‘medium/high risk’ – and could be offensive to audience members.

It added the speech would only be allowed to go ahead if it complied with a series of measures ‘to ensure the safety of the speaker and of students’.

West Midlands MEP Mr Etheridge was asked to submit a list of topics he will discuss, as well as an advance copy of the speech so it can be checked for compliance with the union’s ‘zero tolerance’ and ‘safe space’ policies.

Mr Etheridge said it would be ‘absolute hypocrisy’ to agree to the restrictions.

He told the Daily Telegraph: ‘I find it so ironic because all I want to do is discuss free speech. I have spoken at other uni-

versities and had a rough ride from the students which is what I expect. But I’ve never before had a university make it impossible for me to attend.’

Peter Anson, the politics and international relations student who founded the Liberate the Debate society, called the restrictions ‘patronising’. He said: ‘We want to highlight that it is healthy to engage in debate, rather than say their opinions can’t be expressed.’

Frida Gustafsson, president of Sussex Students’ Union, said: ‘In this particular case, in line with our usual procedure and legal responsibilities, we requested that the student group hosting the event take some steps to ensure the safety of the speaker and attendees.’

‘Rough ride from the students’