Top Universities 'Named And Shamed' By David Cameron For Letting Extremists Speak

Top Universities 'Named And Shamed' By Cameron For Letting Extremists Speak

Leading universities have been named and shamed by David Cameron for giving a platform to extremists as a new legal duty on institutions to "protect impressionable young minds" was announced.

Whitehall's Extremism Analysis Unit claimed at least 70 events featuring hate speakers were held on campuses last year, while security officials also have concerns about the number of young people being radicalised and travelling to join Islamic State jihadists.

The University of London's Queen Mary, King's College and School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) along with Kingston University were identified as holding the most events, according to Downing Street.

Among the speakers were Haitham Al-Haddad, Dr Uthman Lateef, Alomgir Ali, Imran Ibn Mansur, also known as Dawah Man, Hamza Tzortis and Dr Salman Butt, who have all publicly denounced British values, the Press Association reports.

Cameron has named and shamed universities who have given a platform to extremist speakers

Under plans announced by the Prime Minister, who is chairing a meeting of the extremism task force, universities will be forced to combat extremism on campus.

Mr Cameron said: "All public institutions have a role to play in rooting out and challenging extremism.

"It is not about oppressing free speech or stifling academic freedom, it is about making sure that radical views and ideas are not given the oxygen they need to flourish.

"Schools, universities and colleges, more than anywhere else, have a duty to protect impressionable young minds and ensure that our young people are given every opportunity to reach their potential. That is what our one nation government is focused on delivering."

Updated Prevent duty guidance, which will come into force at higher education institutions across the UK on September 21, will force universities to put in place policies to stop extremists radicalising students and tackle gender segregation at events.

It will require universities to have proper assessment processes for invited speakers and ensure those with extremist views do not go unchallenged.

The guidance also sets out that institutions must ensure that they have appropriate IT policies, staff training and student welfare programmes in place to recognise and respond to the signs of radicalisation.

It follows the imposition of similar duties on public bodies including councils, prisons, NHS trusts and schools in July.

The Government urged the National Union of Students (NUS) to drop its opposition to the anti-radicalisation strategy, which critics have claimed will create a culture of suspicion at academic institutions and could restrict freedom of speech.

He said: "Universities represent an important arena for challenging extremist views. It is important there can be active challenge and debate on issues relating to counter terrorism and provisions for academic freedom are part of the Prevent guidance for universities and colleges.

Nicola Dandridge, chief executive of Universities UK, said institutions already had procedures in place before external speakers are given the green light to address students.

She said: "Universities have an important role to play in preventing violent extremism and promoting free speech.

"Universities have strong partnerships with the police and security services and have engaged with the Government's Prevent strategy for a number of years. This new duty is a continuation of that work.

"Universities must continue to be places where controversial subjects can be discussed openly, and flawed or dangerous ideas challenged. All universities have protocols and procedures that have to be satisfied before external speakers are given the green light to speak at a campus event.

"In relation to how people may become radicalised, it is important to remember that universities are only one part of young students' lives and they have many other influences away from campuses such as the web, social media and membership of non-university groups. A joined-up approach to tackling violent extremism is needed, across the whole of society."

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