Gavin Williamson set to appoint free speech champion with power to fine universities – iNews

Gavin Williamson issetto reveal a free speech champion with the power to fine universities thatdo notstand up for freedom of speech.

The appointee, which is expected to be announced by the Education Secretary on Tuesday, will also be able to order redressif an individual is dismissed or demoted for their views.

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The role will sit withinEnglands higher education watchdog, the Office for Students,The Sunday Telegraphreported.

The Conservative Partys 2019 general election manifesto included a commitment to strengthen academic freedom and free speech in universities.

In a letter sent to theOfSearlier this month,MrWilliamson accused the watchdog of not doing enough to protect free speech on campuses. He said there had been little regulatory action by theOfSto potential breaches relating to freedom of speech, despite a significant number of concerning incidents.

He also said he wanted the watchdog to take more active and visible action to challenge concerning incidents that are reported to it or which it becomes aware of.

Concerns about freedom of speech in higher education have grown in recent years, although some commentatorshave saidthe problem is exaggerated.

Dr Jo Grady, general secretary of the University and College Union, said the free speech champion role was job creation in pursuit of a culture war.

Separately, the Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden is due to hold a summit next week with 25 of the UKs biggest heritageorganisations, in which he is expected to tell the bodies to defend our culture and history from the noisy minority of activists constantly trying to do Britain down.

Sir John Hayes, the chairman of theCommon SenseGroup of Tory MPs, saidMrDowden was correct to remindorganisationsthat have strayed from their purpose that protecting and promoting our heritage is about making people proud, not making them feel guilty about being British.

Dr Robert Saunders, a historian at Queen Mary University of London, tweeted that there was a grim ironyin the Government telling heritage groups not to airbrush history while warning themtostop researching slavery and empire.

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