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Conservative MP demands universities give him names of lecturers teaching about Brexit Conservative MP demands universities give him names of lecturers teaching about Brexit
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A Conservative MP and government whip has written to all UK universities demanding a list of professors who are teaching students about Brexit, prompting an angry backlash from academics.A Conservative MP and government whip has written to all UK universities demanding a list of professors who are teaching students about Brexit, prompting an angry backlash from academics.
Chris Heaton-Harris, a staunch Brexit supporter, was accused of “McCarthyism” after sending the letter to university vice chancellors asking that they send him information on what their lecturers are telling students about Britain's departure from the EU, as well as the names of all staff who are doing the teaching.Chris Heaton-Harris, a staunch Brexit supporter, was accused of “McCarthyism” after sending the letter to university vice chancellors asking that they send him information on what their lecturers are telling students about Britain's departure from the EU, as well as the names of all staff who are doing the teaching.
In the letter, he requested a list of academics “who are involved in the teaching of European affairs, with particular reference to Brexit”. The Daventry MP also asked for a version of every university’s syllabus and even demanded copies of online lectures on Brexit.In the letter, he requested a list of academics “who are involved in the teaching of European affairs, with particular reference to Brexit”. The Daventry MP also asked for a version of every university’s syllabus and even demanded copies of online lectures on Brexit.
He said he “sincerely hopes” universities will be able to provide the information.He said he “sincerely hopes” universities will be able to provide the information.
In response, academics accused the Tory MP of attempting to restrict academic freedom.In response, academics accused the Tory MP of attempting to restrict academic freedom.
Professor David Green, vice chancellor of Worcester University, said the letter was “so dangerous” and a step towards censorship. Professor David Green, vice chancellor of Worcester University, said the letter was “so dangerous” and a step towards censorship. 
“When I read this extraordinary letter on parliamentary paper from a serving MP, I felt a chill down my spine. Was this the beginnings of a very British McCarthyism? I had never heard of Mr. Heaton Harris MP, so I looked up his website where I found him proclaiming that: 'There must be no attempts to remain inside the EU, no attempts to re-join it through the back door and no second referendum'.“When I read this extraordinary letter on parliamentary paper from a serving MP, I felt a chill down my spine. Was this the beginnings of a very British McCarthyism? I had never heard of Mr. Heaton Harris MP, so I looked up his website where I found him proclaiming that: 'There must be no attempts to remain inside the EU, no attempts to re-join it through the back door and no second referendum'.
"Then I discovered that he declared himself to be a 'passionate Eurosceptic’ and is a government whip. And, now he has written to me personally, by name, asking me to give him the names of those who are giving classes about the European Union and give evidence about exactly what they are saying. Raising concerns about Mr Heaton-Harris's response if the MP does not receive the information he wants, Professor Green said: "If I don’t [give him the names of staff], is he planning to use Parliament to denounce me as an ‘enemy of the people’.
Raising concerns about Mr Heaton-Harris's response if the MP does not receive the information he wants, Professor Green said: "If I don’t [give him the names of staff[, is he planning to use Parliament to denounce me as an ‘enemy of the people’. Why me? Is it because I have been campaigning so passionately for more nursing places and for a better deal for England’s students – two causes far from the heart of a Government whip for a beleaguered minority government?   "Why me? Is it because I have been campaigning so passionately for more nursing places and for a better deal for England’s students – two causes far from the heart of a Government whip for a beleaguered minority government?  
"I realised that his letter just asking for information appears so innocent but is really so, so dangerous. Here is the first step to the thought police, the political censor and Newspeak, naturally justified as ‘the will of the British people’, another phrase to be found on Mr. Heaton Harris’s website.  Then I thought that only one response was appropriate, which Churchill spoke so brilliantly for all who love Britain and democracy when he said 'we shall outlive the power of tyranny' and  'we shall never surrender'. That is my reply to Mr. Heaton Harris MP’s sinister letter.” "I realised that his letter just asking for information appears so innocent but is really so, so dangerous. Here is the first step to the thought police, the political censor and Newspeak, naturally justified as ‘the will of the British people’, another phrase to be found on Mr. Heaton Harris’s website. 
"Then I thought that only one response was appropriate, which Churchill spoke so brilliantly for all who love Britain and democracy when he said 'we shall outlive the power of tyranny' and  'we shall never surrender'. That is my reply to Mr. Heaton Harris MP’s sinister letter.”
  
Others accused the MP of “McCarthyism”, a reference to Cold War-era witch hunts in the US against academics suspected of being communists.Others accused the MP of “McCarthyism”, a reference to Cold War-era witch hunts in the US against academics suspected of being communists.
Professor Kevin Featherstone, head of the London School of Economics (LSE) European Institute, said:  “The letter reflects a past of a McCarthyite nature. It smacks of asking 'Are you or have you ever been in favour of remain?' There is clearly an implied threat that universities will somehow be challenged for their bias.”Professor Kevin Featherstone, head of the London School of Economics (LSE) European Institute, said:  “The letter reflects a past of a McCarthyite nature. It smacks of asking 'Are you or have you ever been in favour of remain?' There is clearly an implied threat that universities will somehow be challenged for their bias.”
Julie Smith, director of the European Centre at Cambridge University, called Mr Heaton-Harris’s letter “profoundly worrying”.Julie Smith, director of the European Centre at Cambridge University, called Mr Heaton-Harris’s letter “profoundly worrying”.
She said: “If it is the case that a politician thinks he should interfere in the content of what universities are teaching and look at syllabi in order to see whether the correct line is being delivered, that is profoundly worrying.”She said: “If it is the case that a politician thinks he should interfere in the content of what universities are teaching and look at syllabi in order to see whether the correct line is being delivered, that is profoundly worrying.”
The Prime Minister's spokesman distanced the Government from Mr Heaton-Harris's letter. He said: "This was sent in his capacity as an MP, not a government representative.The Prime Minister's spokesman distanced the Government from Mr Heaton-Harris's letter. He said: "This was sent in his capacity as an MP, not a government representative.
"What the Prime Minister has always been very clear on is her respect for the freedom and independence of universities and the role they play in creating open and stimulating debate."What the Prime Minister has always been very clear on is her respect for the freedom and independence of universities and the role they play in creating open and stimulating debate.
"Free speech is one of the foundations on which our universities are built and, of course, it should be protected.""Free speech is one of the foundations on which our universities are built and, of course, it should be protected."
Mr Heaton-Harris later 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 later tweeted: "To be absolutely clear, I believe in free speech in our universities and in having an open and vigorous debate on Brexit."
The letter is not the first time a Conservative MP has challenged universities on the issue of Brexit. Last year Bernard Jenkin, a board member of the Vote Leave campaign, filed a complaint to the Electoral Commission after LSE hosted an event at which a speaker said there was “no upside for the UK in Brexit”. The letter is not the first time a Conservative MP has challenged universities on the issue of Brexit. Last year Bernard Jenkin, a board member of the Vote Leave campaign, filed a complaint to the Electoral Commission after LSE hosted an event at which a speaker said there was “no upside for the UK in Brexit”. 
Mr Jenkin also accused the university of publishing biased research designed to undermine the case for Brexit. Mr Jenkin also accused the university of publishing biased research designed to undermine the case for Brexit. 
Mr Heaton-Harris and the Conservative Party did not respond to requests for comment.Mr Heaton-Harris and the Conservative Party did not respond to requests for comment.