Freedom of speech on campus is ‘absolutely crucial', says favourite to head universities watchdog

Telegraph

04-03-2025

Universities must defend freedom of speech on campuses, the likely future leader of England's higher education watchdog has said.
Prof Edward Peck, nominated to be the chairman of the Office for Students (OfS), said the watchdog would take 'robust regulatory action' under his leadership if universities do not secure or promote free speech.
During a pre-appointment hearing before the education select committee, Prof Peck also said it was important that universities provide students with materials on anti-Semitism in their induction.
The outgoing Nottingham Trent University vice-chancellor added that some events over the past 18 months have not made Jewish students feel 'safe and secure' on campus.
Initially, Labour halted the implementation of the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act, passed under the previous Conservative government in 2023.
Since, the Government has decided to push ahead with protecting free speech at universities in key legislation.
In January, Bridget Phillipson, the Education Secretary, said the Act would impose a duty on universities to secure and 'promote' freedom of speech.
Prof Peck, who was named last week as Ms Phillipson's preferred candidate to lead the OfS, told MPs he believes the amended freedom of speech legislation 'gets the balance right'.
Asked how important the OfS's role is in defending freedom of speech on campuses, Prof Peck told MPs: 'I think it's absolutely crucial.
'Universities, colleges and other providers should be places where ideas can be explored, examined, challenged, or disagreement can be facilitated. Where new viewpoints can be discovered.
'It's crucial – without that I don't think we'd have a university sector which would be the envy of the world as it is now. So that's my starting point.'
He added: 'As chair, I want to make sure we take robust regulatory action if we find that the code of practice of institutions has not been followed, and that complaints from staff or visiting speakers are justified.'
'Take robust action'
Asked what the OfS would do if there was a protest on a campus at a university in the UK in which students had said 'from the river to the sea' and called for an 'intifada', Prof Peck said: 'I'd expect that university to take robust action to investigate those accusations, and, if they were found to be upheld, to take action in line with their own disciplinary processes.'
He added: 'It's very important that every student feels safe and secure and respected as they study on campus, and some of the activities over the last 18 months have not always, I think, made, particularly Jewish, students feel that.
'It's really important that universities work with the IHRA (International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance) definition of anti-Semitism.
'It's really important they include some Union of Jewish Students materials in their induction for students so people understand what anti-Semitism is, how to recognise it, and how sometimes to recognise it in yourself as well as in others.'