Self-censorship on issues relating to China is “the most important freedom of speech issue” facing British universities, a former minister has warned.
Lord (Jo) Johnson, former universities minister, has suggested that China’s influence on academic research, which cover its own interests, is a “genuine and real threat to freedom of speech”.
He highlighted that the Chinese Government had recently sanctioned academics in Europe for undertaking their research.
The former minister’s comments came as the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill will be introduced in Parliament.
Academics, students or visiting speakers to English universities will be able to seek compensation through the courts if they suffer loss from a breach of the free speech duties under the Bill.