Oxford University Rebuked: UK Government Looks To Strengthen Free Speech On Campus

Oxford University has been rebuked by the Education Secretary over the “unacceptable” no-platforming of Amber Rudd, with the Government on Friday threatening intervention to protect free speech on campuses.

Gavin Williamson is believed to be looking at increasing the powers of the university regulator after a speech by former Home Secretary Ms Rudd was blocked by a student society on Thursday.

The Telegraph understands that ministers are considering amending the 1986 Education Act to ensure that the Office for Students (OfS) is able to police student bodies that fail to protect free speech. While universities have a duty to uphold free speech, Government sources have expressed concern that the current legislation does not directly apply to students’ unions or societies.

It comes after Ms Rudd hit out at the “badly judged and rude” decision by Oxford’s UNWomen society to cancel an address she had been due to give to mark International Women’s Day just 30 minutes before it was due to begin.