I’ll defend free speech, vows Oxford chief

OXFORD University’s new vicechancellor has vowed to be a ‘defender of free speech’.

Professor Irene Tracey, 56, who began the role yesterday, said she tried to teach students to understand views from ‘many different perspectives’.

Her pledge comes amid calls to crack down on ‘campus wokery’, which has seen speakers banned from institutions.

She told Radio 4’s Today: ‘I’m very clear that I’m the defender of free speech.’ The professor, who was previously warden of Merton College, said accepting different views ‘prepares you best for what is the real world’.