Ukip student barred for saying NHS must ‘charge immigrants’
A STUDENT has been suspended by his university and told to undergo diversity training after he said the NHS should not be free for migrants.
Sebastian Walsh, 19, also condemned the ‘Islamisation’ of Britain and vowed he would never eat at a Subway or KFC because they sold halal meat, which he branded ‘barbaric’.
The University of Central Lancashire in Preston suspended Mr Walsh, a Ukip member, after receiving multiple complaints about his ‘offensive and inappropriate’ comments.
The social work student, who insists he is a ‘free speech advocate’, described the decision as a violation of his human rights. He said: ‘All I did was voice my opinions during debates about immigration.
‘In another seminar class, we had a discussion about the privatisation of the NHS and I simply said I don’t think free healthcare should be available to immigrants. These are views held by many people and I believe I should be able to express them freely.’ The university said he could return to his social work studies in September – provided he signs a good conduct agreement and take a diversity training course.
But the first-year student from Wigan is refusing to co-operate. He said: ‘Freedom of speech is a human right and I am determined to stand by this. I will be fighting the university’s deci- sion on this to make sure others aren’t punished for their opinions in future.’
A spokesman for the university said: ‘The university promotes lawful, open debate, the discussion of varying views and academic freedom and has in place robust procedures to ensure this can take place.
‘In this case, a number of official complaints were made by students regarding a series of offensive and inappropriate comments made by Sebastian Walsh during lectures and seminars.
‘The student has been temporarily suspended for the remainder of the academic year and is aware that on the successful completion of a diversity training course, he will be able to resume his studies.’ The Preston branch of Ukip has now written to the university to oppose its decision.
Treasurer Neil Graham said: ‘What has concerned me and many other members of our party is that this young boy is being denied his education for simply expressing his opinion.’
He pointed out that universities minister Chris Skidmore released a document this month aimed at protecting free speech in higher education.
‘Offensive and inappropriate’