Hundreds of academics urge Govt to implement uni free speech protections

More than 500 academics have called on the Government to implement a new law ensuring universities protect free speech.

In an open letter to Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson, professors and lecturers from across Britain warned of the “incalculable” effect of silencing legitimate views.

Earlier this month, Phillipson shelved the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act 2023 (HEFOSA), claiming it would have a negative impact on vulnerable groups and be “burdensome on providers”.

Vital protection

The signatories said that free speech duties “on universities have long been neglected, despite being enshrined in law”, and that hundreds of academics and students “have been hounded, censured, silenced or even sacked over the last 20 years for the expression of legal opinions”.

The Act, they argued, would actually serve to protect the freedoms of vulnerable groups and save universities “money on court costs, by providing a speedy and efficient way of resolving what would otherwise be protracted legal disputes”.

The letter concluded: “Academics and students of all persuasions need the protection afforded by the Freedom of Speech Act.”

Scope for debate

Despite the Education Secretary’s decision to halt the HEFOSA, the University of Cambridge recently introduced a new code of practice based on the Act, outlining its “commitment to freedom of speech”.

The code defines academic freedom as the freedom “within the law to question and test received wisdom, and to put forward new ideas and controversial or unpopular opinions”.

Under the code, the University’s staff, students and visitors are encouraged “to engage in robust, challenging, evidence-based and civil debate”, even where the viewpoints expressed are deemed to be “disagreeable, unwelcome or distasteful”.

The University of Birmingham has also implemented a free speech code based on the Act. It stated: “It is not the role of the University to protect or shield people from ideas or opinions with which they disagree, or which make them feel uncomfortable.”

‘Crisis’

Human Rights expert Akua Reindorf KC expressed shock at Phillipson’s announcement to “stop further commencement” of the HEFOSA, saying: “The Act was not perfect, but it’s quite evident that free speech and academic freedom are in peril in universities.”

Toby Young, the Director of the Free Speech Union, accused the Government of attacking the law in the middle of “a free speech crisis in our universities”.

Questioning the Secretary of State’s decision, The Daily Telegraph commented: “academics must be able to ask difficult questions and reach uncomfortable conclusions in their search for the truth. The clear legal protections offered by the Act would have provided the necessary security for them to do so”.