New FSU Member Testimonial: Brodie Mitchell

Max Thompson, Campaigns Officer

7 August 2026

On this week's episode of the FSU Member Testimonial series, we hear from Brodie Mitchell.

Brodie is a 20-year-old politics student at Royal Holloway, University of London. After comparing a Palestine activist's keffiyeh to a “tea towel” in response to her calling him a “wannabe Jew” at last year's Freshers' Fair, he was suspended for seven weeks, causing him to miss seven weeks of lectures in the middle of his studies.

He was given less than 48 hours' notice to move out of his accommodation. While he was unable to continue his studies on campus, the other student was allowed to carry on as normal.

Before this ordeal, Brodie had been an FSU member for two years. As soon as it happened, he contacted the FSU, and we were able to support him by providing legal advice and contacting the university on his behalf.

When Brodie's case eventually reached the High Court, we funded his legal representation and backed him every step of the way. Thanks to the FSU's intervention, Brodie was able to return to university, and Royal Holloway eventually settled the case.

The Telegraph reported that the university initially sought to spend more than £737,000 in an attempt to deter him from pursuing litigation — an obscene amount of money.

The Free Speech Union gave him the confidence to fight for his right to free speech.

— Brodie Mitchell, via X

The fight to defend free speech has never been more important than it is today, particularly on university campuses.

The Free Speech Union is proud to have supported Brodie, along with many other students whose free speech rights have been infringed, or who simply want to stand up for free speech on campus.

Watch Brodie's testimonial, join the FSU, and find out how we help students defend and promote free speech on campus here.