Britain’s great universities must resist chilling attacks on free speech

sir – In 1966 I was one of the first graduates of the recently established Sussex University.

In 1971 I wrote Anarchy and Apathy, published by Hamish Hamilton. It was based on an account of a student revolt at the London School of Economics, as witnessed and resisted by me when I was a graduate student there. I advocated the expulsion of Left-wing students who refused to allow the presentation of views with which they disagreed. As I put it: “To them freedom of speech means freedom of action to shut other people up.”

The book made a splash. In 1972 a committee of Sussex dons invited me to give the keynote speech on oration day. They promised a “Praetorian guard”. Alas, more cautious counsels prevailed and the invitation was rescinded. The episode was the thin end of the wedge.

Now the wedge has widened and is overturning the whole set-up of assumptions on which our universities have been based. It appears the rot has spread all the way up to Oxford (Letters, May 18). This is the academic equivalent of the fall of Rome in 410. We have to keep alive the spirit of the quest for truth. Surely this fit of irrationality cannot last forever. Margaret Brown

Burslem, Staffordshire

sir – I was shocked to read yesterday’s letter from the former president of the Oxford Union, describing the abuse he has suffered and how it is “amplified” by social media. Such echo chambers do not allow for the nuanced discussion of controversial matters, which is vital for promoting tolerance. Cheryl Stephan

Martin Hussingtree, Worcestershire

sir – Recent coverage and comments about Oxford University’s approach to freedom of speech have unfortunately been ill-informed.

The Oxford Union, a debating society independent of the university but whose leaders and members are mostly drawn from our student body, has not been banned from attending the freshers’ fair. Students should be free to decide whether to join a society or club. While we understand there are concerns held by the Student Union about the Oxford Union, the university is actively encouraging the two organisations to discuss the issues.

Our freedom of speech policy makes clear that the university seeks to prepare students to encounter and confront difficult views, including ones they find unsettling, extreme or even offensive. We do not allow the noplatforming of any lawful speech but also support the right of students, staff and societies to protest and challenge speakers at events, as long as they do so within the law and our policies.

The university and its colleges host hundreds of events each term and we will continue to invite a wide range of speakers. Despite what some may have been led to believe, freedom of speech and expression is alive and well at Oxford.

Professor Martin Williams Pro-vice-chancellor (Education) University of Oxford