Academics and public figures call for an end to Uni cancel culture

Hundreds of academics have pressured the Education Secretary to stop delaying protections for free speech on campus.

The letter signed by 370 academics and public figures, including three Nobel laureates and comedian and writer Sir Stephen Fry, urged Bridget Phillipson to keep her commitment, following over a year’s delay in establishing a promised complaints scheme.

The scheme would give the Office for Students authority to investigate free speech complaints, end disciplinary action, and instruct universities to amend their procedures. The academics warned that the lack of current protections are “damaging the integrity of research and scholarship”.

Protect

One of the letter’s organisers, Professor of Mathematics at Queen Mary University Abhishek Saha, stated: “At the moment we have a system that does not do what is needed to protect free speech and we have no idea when we are going to get one.

“Bridget Phillipson needs to make this an urgent priority to stop academics being hung out to dry.”

He explained: “Universities exist to pursue truth and advance knowledge. Academic freedom protects that mission by ensuring that scholars can express and explore ideas without facing the risk of losing their jobs. Without free speech and academic freedom, knowledge stagnates, inquiry bends to power, and our understanding of the world stalls.”

He criticised the Education Secretary for the long wait, noting: “In the meantime, the Freedom of Speech Act remains toothless, with real consequences for academics at the sharp end, and for the integrity of research and scholarship. It is time to stop considering and to start acting.”

Censorship

Shadow Education Secretary Laura Trott urged the government to stop “dragging its feet”.

She added: “Free speech is a cornerstone of our universities. The Education Secretary must act, rather than sit back and watch censorship take hold.”

A spokesman from the Department for Education said: “We are absolutely committed to freedom of speech and academic freedom and are committed to restoring our universities as engines of opportunity, aspiration and growth.

“We will legislate to amend and repeal elements of the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act, including a comprehensive complaints scheme, when parliamentary time allows.”

Apologise

Professor David Gordon was suspended in March 2025 by the University of Bristol after sending an email defending gender-critical academic Professor Sullivan, who was accused by the LGBTQ+ Staff Network as ‘transphobic’.

Considering legal action, he explained: “I’d like them to apologise for violating my right to freedom of speech and academic freedom, and not protecting me from discrimination.”

The 66-year-old added: “I think you should obey reasonable management instructions, such as marking. But being told to not discuss academic issues is just not reasonable.”

“Universities are about debating academic issues and if we stop doing that, then we have little purpose in existing.”

Accusations

Professor Sullivan observed: “Activists make accusations of ‘transphobia’ against anyone who acknowledges the material reality of sex. Universities should treat this tactic with the derision it deserves.

“The idea that a highly respected senior professor cannot reach out to colleagues to discuss a contentious issue without management reprimand speaks volumes.”