4 February 2026
Martin Speake is an internationally renowned saxophonist who worked as a jazz lecturer at the Trinity Laban (TL) Conservatoire of Music and Dance in Greenwich for 24 years. This came to an end after he questioned critical race theory.
Mr Speake has said that his life was destroyed after students at the conservatoire decided to boycott his lessons because of his views. In an email responding to a request for feedback on a “diversity action plan” in February 2024, he stated that there was no “systemic” racial inequality in British jazz and described critical race theory as “very dangerous”.
In his 1,170-word response, Speake argued that black musicians were “definitely not under-represented” in British jazz and that the ‘Black Lives Matter’ (BLM) movement was “very dangerous”. He received no response to the email.
Some time later, Mr Speake shared his response with a student with whom he had discussed the topic. He was subsequently informed that one student felt “anxious” as a result of his comments and was later told by the conservatoire that his classes would be halted.
The school then convened a meeting with all 95 jazz students, excluding Mr Speake, and instructed him to circulate his email to the entire jazz department. He complied. Mr Speake said it was at this point that events began to spiral.
As his employer, the conservatoire failed to uphold his right to academic freedom and freedom of speech. It threatened disciplinary action and allowed harmful rumours to circulate about him. Students began to boycott his classes, a petition calling for his immediate removal was launched, the London Jazz Orchestra asked him to step down from his post, his album was halted, and all his scheduled performances across the UK were cancelled.
The conservatoire issued a statement on social media saying it was “in awe” of the students’ “sense of community and solidarity with each other”. A counter-petition defending Mr Speake attracted more than 500 signatures. However, due to mounting stress, he was forced to take sick leave in March 2024.
He returned to Trinity Laban later that year in the hope that tensions had eased and that he could resume teaching, but students continued to boycott his lessons. Rather than support Mr Speake’s right to hold his beliefs, the institution enabled his silencing and ostracism. The conservatoire continued to allow him to be subjected to discriminatory and harassing behaviour and ultimately offered him an administrative role researching a possible new master’s course, which he declined. He resigned in November 2024, citing constructive dismissal.
Mr Speake told The Telegraph: “I now have two legal cases against them. One in employment discrimination because they were basically supporting the students boycotting me and not really supporting me at all. And then constructive dismissal because they made it so untenable, I had to resign.
“I never thought I’d be in this situation at all. But it’s also the bigger picture. I’ve always been for freedom of speech and it’s going, isn’t it? It’s literally going.”
Mr Speake is now living off his state pension and money from the sale of his late mother’s home. A passionate teacher and highly respected saxophonist has effectively been cancelled within the jazz world because a student disagreed with his lawful and legitimate views.
The Free Speech Union is supporting Mr Speake in bringing an employment tribunal claim against the conservatoire for constructive dismissal, discrimination, and harassment. He has described the experience as a nightmare that has “destroyed” his life.
It is essential that we stand up for academic freedom of speech. Any support for Martin’s crowdfunder would be greatly appreciated.
