Clause 3 - Civil claims

Part of Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill – in a Public Bill Committee am 4:00 pm ar 20 Medi 2021.

Danfonwch hysbysiad imi am ddadleuon fel hyn

Photo of John Hayes John Hayes Ceidwadwyr, South Holland and The Deepings 4:00, 20 Medi 2021

Before the hon. Gentleman gets into his third example, I would like to go back to his second example; otherwise, I shall lose count of his examples. The point about the former Home Secretary, Amber Rudd, is not the inconvenience to her. Of course, one regrets the fact that it might have wasted her time and cost her her train fare, but that really is not the point. The point is that her opinions, which, broadly speaking, we take to be mainstream, were, in effect, prohibited. That is not compatible with a university environment that is, one would hope, there to stimulate debate, discussion, challenge and argument. It is not compatible with a free and open society.