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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Tory MP's Brexit demand to universities 'offensive' - Lord Patten | Tory MP's Brexit demand to universities 'offensive' - Lord Patten |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| A Eurosceptic Tory MP has been accused of compiling a "hit list" of university professors who teach Brexit courses. | A Eurosceptic Tory MP has been accused of compiling a "hit list" of university professors who teach Brexit courses. |
| Chris Heaton-Harris has written to universities asking for names of such professors and the content of their lectures. | Chris Heaton-Harris has written to universities asking for names of such professors and the content of their lectures. |
| A lecturers' union said the letter had the "acrid whiff of McCarthyism" - and Tory peer Lord Patten called it "idiotic and offensive". | A lecturers' union said the letter had the "acrid whiff of McCarthyism" - and Tory peer Lord Patten called it "idiotic and offensive". |
| Mr Heaton-Harris said he believed in "open" debate on Brexit. | Mr Heaton-Harris said he believed in "open" debate on Brexit. |
| The government whip tweeted: "To be absolutely clear, I believe in free speech in our universities and in having an open and vigorous debate on Brexit." | The government whip tweeted: "To be absolutely clear, I believe in free speech in our universities and in having an open and vigorous debate on Brexit." |
| Mr Heaton-Harris is a member of the pro-Brexit European Research Group of Conservative MPs. | Mr Heaton-Harris is a member of the pro-Brexit European Research Group of Conservative MPs. |
| 'Courteous request' | 'Courteous request' |
| His letter has drawn widespread condemnation from universities, who have accused the Daventry MP of attempting to censor academic freedom and influence what is being taught. | His letter has drawn widespread condemnation from universities, who have accused the Daventry MP of attempting to censor academic freedom and influence what is being taught. |
| Downing Street said Mr Heaton-Harris had written to universities in his capacity as an MP and not as a representative of government. | Downing Street said Mr Heaton-Harris had written to universities in his capacity as an MP and not as a representative of government. |
| The prime minister's official spokesman said Theresa May respected the freedom and independence of universities and the role they play in providing open and stimulating debate. | |
| Commons leader Andrea Leadsom insisted Mr Heaton-Harris had not sent a "threatening letter" to universities, although she could not say why he had sought the information. | Commons leader Andrea Leadsom insisted Mr Heaton-Harris had not sent a "threatening letter" to universities, although she could not say why he had sought the information. |
| She told BBC Radio 4's The World at One: "It does seem to me to be a bit odd that universities should react in such a negative way to a fairly courteous request." | She told BBC Radio 4's The World at One: "It does seem to me to be a bit odd that universities should react in such a negative way to a fairly courteous request." |
| 'Outrageous and foolish' | 'Outrageous and foolish' |
| Sally Hunt, chairwoman of lecturers' union the University and College Union, said: "Our society will suffer if politicians seek to police what universities can and cannot teach. | Sally Hunt, chairwoman of lecturers' union the University and College Union, said: "Our society will suffer if politicians seek to police what universities can and cannot teach. |
| "This attempt by Chris Heaton-Harris to compile a hit list of professors has the acrid whiff of McCarthyism about it and (universities minister) Jo Johnson must disown it in the strongest terms. | "This attempt by Chris Heaton-Harris to compile a hit list of professors has the acrid whiff of McCarthyism about it and (universities minister) Jo Johnson must disown it in the strongest terms. |
| "Our universities and colleges must lead the way in defending academic freedom, where received wisdom can be challenged and controversial ideas debated." | "Our universities and colleges must lead the way in defending academic freedom, where received wisdom can be challenged and controversial ideas debated." |
| The Guardian revealed that Mr Heaton-Harris wrote to university vice-chancellors at the start of this month asking for the names of professors "involved in the teaching of European affairs, with particular reference to Brexit". | The Guardian revealed that Mr Heaton-Harris wrote to university vice-chancellors at the start of this month asking for the names of professors "involved in the teaching of European affairs, with particular reference to Brexit". |
| The MP's letter also asks for a "copy of the syllabus" and online links to lectures on Brexit. | The MP's letter also asks for a "copy of the syllabus" and online links to lectures on Brexit. |
| Lord Patten, the chancellor of Oxford University, and former chairman of the BBC Trust, described Mr Heaton-Harris's letter as an "extraordinary example of outrageous and foolish behaviour - offensive and idiotic Leninism". | Lord Patten, the chancellor of Oxford University, and former chairman of the BBC Trust, described Mr Heaton-Harris's letter as an "extraordinary example of outrageous and foolish behaviour - offensive and idiotic Leninism". |
| 'Waste paper' | 'Waste paper' |
| The peer, a longstanding supporter of Britain's membership of the EU, told BBC Radio 4's The World At One: "I couldn't believe that it had come from a Conservative MP. | The peer, a longstanding supporter of Britain's membership of the EU, told BBC Radio 4's The World At One: "I couldn't believe that it had come from a Conservative MP. |
| "I think he must be an agent of Mr Corbyn intent on further increasing the number of young people who want to vote Labour." | "I think he must be an agent of Mr Corbyn intent on further increasing the number of young people who want to vote Labour." |
| He said he was sure most university vice-chancellors would drop the letter "in the waste-paper basket" and he accused Mr Heaton-Harris of an affront to free speech and of treating UK universities like "Chinese re-education camps". | He said he was sure most university vice-chancellors would drop the letter "in the waste-paper basket" and he accused Mr Heaton-Harris of an affront to free speech and of treating UK universities like "Chinese re-education camps". |
| Amelia Hadfield, Professor of European and International Relations at Canterbury Christchurch University, told BBC News "my reaction is one of shock and outrage". | Amelia Hadfield, Professor of European and International Relations at Canterbury Christchurch University, told BBC News "my reaction is one of shock and outrage". |
| "I think it is a sinister request," she added, "it's a dangerous step towards censoring academics". | "I think it is a sinister request," she added, "it's a dangerous step towards censoring academics". |
| McCarthyism refers to US Senator Joseph McCarthy who led attempts to purge alleged Communists in public life the 1950s. | McCarthyism refers to US Senator Joseph McCarthy who led attempts to purge alleged Communists in public life the 1950s. |