This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/education/2015/jul/17/universities-allowed-host-extremist-speakers-within-limits

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Universities will be allowed to host extremist speakers – within limits Universities will be allowed to host extremist speakers – within limits
(about 4 hours later)
University campus meetings which give a platform to extremist speakers will only be allowed to go ahead if they are to be directly challenged by somebody with opposing views at the same event, under compromise counter-extremism proposals agreed by the government.University campus meetings which give a platform to extremist speakers will only be allowed to go ahead if they are to be directly challenged by somebody with opposing views at the same event, under compromise counter-extremism proposals agreed by the government.
The new redrawn statutory duty on universities to prevent staff and students being drawn into terrorism no longer requires potential external speakers to provide a detailed script in advance for vetting but colleges will be able to insist that “high-risk” meetings do not take place without proper notice being given first.The new redrawn statutory duty on universities to prevent staff and students being drawn into terrorism no longer requires potential external speakers to provide a detailed script in advance for vetting but colleges will be able to insist that “high-risk” meetings do not take place without proper notice being given first.
The new official rules do spell out that meetings should be banned if there is any doubt that the risk of “drawing people into terrorism” cannot be “fully mitigated”.The new official rules do spell out that meetings should be banned if there is any doubt that the risk of “drawing people into terrorism” cannot be “fully mitigated”.
Related: Government steps up efforts to prevent young Muslims becoming jihadisRelated: Government steps up efforts to prevent young Muslims becoming jihadis
The home secretary, Theresa May, also retains a power of last resort to issue a ministerial direction backed by contempt of court proceedings against universities that refuse to implement the new counter-extremism rules on external speakers.The home secretary, Theresa May, also retains a power of last resort to issue a ministerial direction backed by contempt of court proceedings against universities that refuse to implement the new counter-extremism rules on external speakers.
They also make clear that university staff are expected to recognise the signs of radicalisation amongst their students such as changes of outlook and behaviour and to report them appropriately. They also make clear that university staff are expected to recognise the signs of radicalisation among their students such as changes of outlook and behaviour and to report them appropriately.
A rightwing thinktank, the Henry Jackson Society, warned earlier this week that more than 100 on-campus events hosting speakers with extreme views or a history of involvement in extremist organisations have taken place each year since 2012. Its definition of extremist includes speakers who suggest that there is a western war against Islam; who support individuals convicted of terrorism offences; or who express intolerance of non-believers and/or minorities. A rightwing thinktank, the Henry Jackson Society, said this week that more than 100 on-campus events hosting speakers with extreme views or a history of involvement in extremist organisations have taken place each year since 2012. Its definition of extremist includes speakers who suggest that there is a western war against Islam; who support individuals convicted of terrorism offences; or who express intolerance of non-believers and/or minorities.
At the same time an open letter signed by more than 40 academics, led by Prof Ruth Lister, was published warning that the Prevent strategy, which is largely directed at Islamist extremism and the far-right, is having a chilling effect on open debate, free speech and political dissent.At the same time an open letter signed by more than 40 academics, led by Prof Ruth Lister, was published warning that the Prevent strategy, which is largely directed at Islamist extremism and the far-right, is having a chilling effect on open debate, free speech and political dissent.
The resolution of the long-running battle over the management of external speakers at universities comes as David Cameron and May prepare on Monday to detail the next stage of their counter-extremism strategy to target “the full spectrum” of violent and non-violent extremist ideology. However, detailed work continues on giving Ofcom stronger powers to prevent extremist views being broadcast.The resolution of the long-running battle over the management of external speakers at universities comes as David Cameron and May prepare on Monday to detail the next stage of their counter-extremism strategy to target “the full spectrum” of violent and non-violent extremist ideology. However, detailed work continues on giving Ofcom stronger powers to prevent extremist views being broadcast.
Related: Tunisia attack: David Cameron pledges 'full spectrum' response to massacreRelated: Tunisia attack: David Cameron pledges 'full spectrum' response to massacre
The new legal duty for higher education institutions makes it clear they are expected to follow existing Universities UK guidance – which requires strict vetting of proposed meetings involving external speakers including risk assessments and background checks conducted for those deemed higher-risk. The guidance leaves it to each individual university to decide what period of notice is required before a contentious meeting is allowed to go ahead.The new legal duty for higher education institutions makes it clear they are expected to follow existing Universities UK guidance – which requires strict vetting of proposed meetings involving external speakers including risk assessments and background checks conducted for those deemed higher-risk. The guidance leaves it to each individual university to decide what period of notice is required before a contentious meeting is allowed to go ahead.
The new guidance adds: “When deciding whether or not to host a particular speaker, [higher education institutions] should consider carefully whether the views being expressed, or likely to be expressed, constitute extremist views that risk drawing people into terrorism or shared by terrorist groups.The new guidance adds: “When deciding whether or not to host a particular speaker, [higher education institutions] should consider carefully whether the views being expressed, or likely to be expressed, constitute extremist views that risk drawing people into terrorism or shared by terrorist groups.
“In these circumstances the event should not be allowed to proceed except where [higher education institutions] are entirely convinced that such a risk can be fully mitigated without cancellation of the event. This includes ensuring that, where any event is being allowed to proceed, speakers with extremist views … are challenged with opposing views as part of that same event, rather than in a separate forum.”“In these circumstances the event should not be allowed to proceed except where [higher education institutions] are entirely convinced that such a risk can be fully mitigated without cancellation of the event. This includes ensuring that, where any event is being allowed to proceed, speakers with extremist views … are challenged with opposing views as part of that same event, rather than in a separate forum.”
The new official guidance adds that where there is any doubt univeristies should exercise caution and not allow the event to proceed. The new official guidance adds that where there is any doubt universities should exercise caution and not allow the event to proceed.
External speakers play an important role in university life, not least in encouraging students to challenge other viewsExternal speakers play an important role in university life, not least in encouraging students to challenge other views
Nicola Dandridge, Universities UK chief executive, said: “Universities have engaged with the government’s Prevent strategy for a number of years, and the new guidance is a continuation of that work. Universities UK fed in to the consultation process on early versions of the guidance and will continue to engage with universities and government on its implementation. Nicola Dandridge, the Universities UK chief executive, said: “Universities have engaged with the government’s Prevent strategy for a number of years, and the new guidance is a continuation of that work. Universities UK fed in to the consultation process on early versions of the guidance and will continue to engage with universities and government on its implementation.
“Universities UK’s priority will be to ensure that universities take all necessary steps to prevent violent extremism, and secure free speech. It is not one or the other. External speakers play an important role in university life, not least in terms of encouraging students to challenge other people’s views and develop their own opinions,” she said.“Universities UK’s priority will be to ensure that universities take all necessary steps to prevent violent extremism, and secure free speech. It is not one or the other. External speakers play an important role in university life, not least in terms of encouraging students to challenge other people’s views and develop their own opinions,” she said.
May originally wanted to see an outright ban on extremist speakers, including non-violent extremists, being given a platform on university campuses backed by contempt of court powers in reserve for any university vice-chancellor that refused to implement the ban.May originally wanted to see an outright ban on extremist speakers, including non-violent extremists, being given a platform on university campuses backed by contempt of court powers in reserve for any university vice-chancellor that refused to implement the ban.
The House of Lords refused to approve this and insisted that universities’ academic freedom and duty to freedom of speech be given equal legal weight to the new duty to prevent staff and students being drawn into terrorism leading to the compromise solution. The House of Lords refused to approve this and insisted that universities’ academic freedom and duty to freedom of speech be given equal legal weight to the new duty to prevent staff and students being drawn into terrorism, leading to the compromise solution.
The new rules to be implemented under the 2015 Counter-Terrorism and Security Act will come into effect subject to approval by both houses of parliament this autumn.The new rules to be implemented under the 2015 Counter-Terrorism and Security Act will come into effect subject to approval by both houses of parliament this autumn.
John Hayes, the security minister, said: “The new Prevent duty is about protecting people from the poisonous and pernicious influence of extremist ideas that are used to legitimise terrorism. “The issue of how universities and colleges balance the Prevent duty with the importance of academic freedom is an extremely important one. “We have now issued draft guidance for higher and further education institutions on managing external speakers. The guidance makes clear that speakers with extremist views must not go unchallenged. “The duty will commence for universities and colleges once the guidance has been approved by parliament.”John Hayes, the security minister, said: “The new Prevent duty is about protecting people from the poisonous and pernicious influence of extremist ideas that are used to legitimise terrorism. “The issue of how universities and colleges balance the Prevent duty with the importance of academic freedom is an extremely important one. “We have now issued draft guidance for higher and further education institutions on managing external speakers. The guidance makes clear that speakers with extremist views must not go unchallenged. “The duty will commence for universities and colleges once the guidance has been approved by parliament.”