LONDON (AP) – The British government said on Tuesday it would nominate a “champion of free speech” for universities to guard against attempts to silence academics and speakers with unpopular opinions.
Education Secretary Gavin Williamson said he was “deeply concerned by the frightening effect of unacceptable silencing and censorship on campuses”.
“That is why we must strengthen freedom of expression in higher education, reinforcing existing legal duties and ensuring that strong and robust actions are taken if they are violated,” he said.
The new champion will investigate allegations of violations of freedom of expression, such as the dismissal of academics or the “non-platform” of guest speakers. The conservative government also plans to give a regulator, the Office for Students, powers to fine universities that violate a requirement to support freedom of expression.
Academics and others who are expelled, dismissed or demoted because of their opinions may seek compensation from the courts according to the plans, which have not yet been made into law.
In recent years, controversies over freedom of expression on UK campuses have arisen because of invitations to right-wing politicians and authors and speakers with contentious views on the rights of transgender people.
Critics accuse the government of doing populist politics instead of supporting freedom of expression.
Peter Tatchell, a gay rights veteran and human rights activist, said the government was “interested in using controversial cultural issues as a way to break through and secure political advantage, and I fear that this is a cynical part of that strategy. “
Opponents also accuse the government of putting pressure on education and heritage organizations not to highlight the negative aspects of Britain’s history. Prime Minister Boris Johnson and other ministers opposed the removal of statues of historical figures associated with slavery and the British Empire.
Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden wrote to government-funded museums and historic sites to warn them against the removal of statues, saying that they “should not take actions motivated by activism or politics”.
The University and College Union, which represents academics, accused the government of “fighting phantom threats”.
“In reality, the greatest threats to academic freedom and expression do not come from staff and students, or from the so-called ‘cancellation culture’, but from the ministers’ own attempts to police what can and cannot be said on campus, and from failure to dominate endemic job insecurity and managerial approaches that mean that academics are less able to speak the truth to power, ”said Secretary-General Jo Grady.