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ARTICLE · 30 MARCH 2021

Battle Continues Over Free Speech At Universities

Wrigleys Solicitors LLP
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Wrigleys Solicitors LLP

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The education secretary, Gavin Williamson, recently announced plans to introduce legislation enabling academics, students or visiting speakers who are no-platformed to sue universities...

United KingdomConsumer Protection
Laura Moss
Laura Moss
Daniel Lewis
Daniel Lewis
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New proposed measures continue debate on free speech on university campuses .

The education secretary, Gavin Williamson, recently announced plans to introduce legislation enabling academics, students or visiting speakers who are no-platformed to sue universities for compensation, where they feel they have suffered because of infringements to their right of freedom of speech.

What new measures are proposed?

Williamson's proposals are part of a raft of new measures the government is seeking to introduce to fulfil its manifesto commitment to protect perceived threats to free speech and academic freedom in universities in England.

Further proposals include:

  • appointing a 'free speech champion' to investigate potential infringements of free speech in higher education;

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