More than 500 academics have condemned Labour for scrapping a law aimed at protecting freedom of speech on campuses.
The experts – including evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins and historian Niall Ferguson – say the act brought in by the Conservatives was ‘vitally important’ after university staff and students were ‘hounded, censured, silenced or even sacked’ for expressing their opinions.
And they dismiss concerns raised by the Government that the legislation could put minority groups including Jewish students at risk by protecting ‘hate speech’, pointing out that harassment laws already trump free speech.
In an open letter to Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson, they urge her to implement the outstanding provisions of the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act (HEFOSA).
They were due to come into force at the start of August until the minister announced in July that she was halting the introduction of the power for the Office for Students watchdog to fine institutions or student unions if they failed to uphold freedom of speech.
In an open letter to Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson (left), the experts including evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins (right) urge her to implement the outstanding provisions of the Higher Education Freedom of Speech Act (HEFOSA)
The letter, also signed by director of the Committee for Academic Freedom Edward Skidelsky, states: ‘The decision to halt HEFOSA appears to reflect the view, widespread among opponents of the Act, that there is no ‘free speech problem’ in UK universities, that the very idea of such a problem is a fiction put about to divert attention from bigger issues.
‘Nothing could be more false. Hundreds of academics and students have been hounded, censured, silenced or even sacked over the last 20 years for the expression of legal opinions.’ It says that documented cases are ‘only the tip of the iceberg’ and the ‘widespread silencing of viewpoints is incalculable’.
The professors say the dire state of affairs, with the UK a lowly 66th in the global league of academic freedom, has ‘serious consequences for us all’.
They point out that the ‘suppression of university research into the effects of puberty blockers facilitated one of the great medical scandals of our age’, which was exposed by the landmark Cass report into gender medicine for young people.
‘Academics and students of all persuasions need the protection afforded by the Freedom of Speech Act. We are happy to meet with you to discuss our concerns,’ the letter concludes.
However their warnings have been dismissed out of hand by the Government.
A source told The Times, which first reported the letter: ‘We make no apology for pausing the Tories’ hate speech charter, which would have allowed antisemites and Holocaust deniers free rein on campuses. Universities already have obligations under the law to protect freedom of speech and we will hold institutions to them.’
Helen Joyce, director of advocacy at human-rights charity Sex Matters, hopes the Education Secretary listens to the calls for a rethink
But Helen Joyce, director of advocacy at human-rights charity Sex Matters, last night told the Mail: ‘It is astonishing to see a government source characterise protections for free speech on campus as a ‘Tory hate speech law’.
‘Free speech is a fundamental human right that should be above party politics.
‘The planned law would have protected staff and students with a wide range of lawful beliefs, and it’s simply false to say that it would have given shelter to hate speech such as Holocaust denial.
‘Without free speech on campus, sound research and open inquiry will wither.. Academics, students and University guest speakers all need protection from the excesses of cancel culture. I hope the Education Secretary listens to those from across the political spectrum who are calling for a rethink.’