Oxford college in ‘draconian’ block on free speech over trans debate

Camilla Turner

Ewan Somerville

AN OXFORD college has been accused of closing down free speech over its plans to host a discussion about transgender issues that bans “language which denies the validity of trans identity”.

Merton College has advertised its forthcoming “Equality Conversation” event, which it says will explore “perspectives on trans intersectionality”.

Yet in order to reserve a place at the event, attendees must sign up to a code of conduct, which states they must “refrain from using language or putting forward views intended to undermine the validity of trans and gender diverse identities”.

Academics have accused Merton College of adopting a “draconian” stance towards free speech by “suppressing gender-critical thought”.

Prof Selina Todd, a historian at Oxford University, said she was “stunned” by the event’s rules, adding that it set a “dangerous precedent”.

“My understanding is that universities and colleges are supposed to be upholding free speech,” she said.

“Merton College seemed to me a place where you could debate calmly … and the way this has now been couched as ‘you’re not allowed to debate’ has left me staggered.” She said it was “very worrying” that a reputable university college such as Merton had made such an “overt statement that debate is not welcomed”.

Prof Michael Biggs, an Oxford sociologist, said: “The code of conduct seems intended to instill anxiety in the audience, who cannot know what viewpoints are forbidden.

“This code could even silence those trans people who recognise biological sex and who do not endorse the ideology of ‘non-binary’ activists.”

Speakers at the event include Freddy Mcconnell, a transgender man who attempted to create legal history by having his baby become the first to legally not have a mother.

He took the Government to court last year for refusing to let him register as the “father” on his child’s birth certificate, but lost.

Prof Kathleen Stock, a philosopher from Sussex University, said that Merton’s approach amounts to “censorship” and represents “intellectual cowardice”.

Prof Rosa Freedman, an expert in human rights law from Reading University, said: “It’s yet another example of universities telling academics that legitimately held political views based on their expertise and on evidence are not allowed to be spoken, which undermines the entire purpose of the academy. It’s chilling.”

Merton College declined to comment.