Scrapping a law to tackle cancel culture at universities will put free speech “in peril”, the Government has been warned.
The new Education Secretary, Bridget Phillipson, revealed she has effectively axed the law designed to protect academics from being no-platformed or forced out over their views.
The Education Secretary will now consider repealing the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act 2023 just days before it was due to come into force.
As reported by The Telegraph, however, experts warned the move could leave academics unprotected against cancel culture on campus, with a new complaints scheme for those who have been “no-platformed” expected to be axed.
Akua Reindorf, a barrister and Equality and Human Rights commissioner, said she was shocked by the move. “The Act was not perfect, but it’s quite evident that free speech and academic freedom are in peril in universities,” she said.
“I’m surprised and shocked that Bridget Phillipson has announced that the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act 2023 won’t come into force on 1 August and may be repealed.”
Under the flagship Tory policy, universities, colleges and student unions would have been required to actively promote free speech on campus.
Those found to have breached academics’ right to free speech would face sanctions by the universities regulator and possible fines.
Academics and students would also be able to seek compensation through the courts if they suffered financial loss after being expelled, dismissed or demoted. The protections would cover any visiting speakers whose invitations were rescinded following student protests.
However, the Free Speech Union, led by former journalist Toby Young, has vowed to launch legal action against the Government.
“There is a free speech crisis in our universities, as has been widely acknowledged, and this Act, which enjoyed cross-party support, was designed to remedy that,” it said in a statement
“The Government’s attack on the Freedom of Speech Act is shocking. If Labour refuses to commence legislation passed in the last parliament, the Free Speech Union will bring judicial review proceedings.”
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