University leaders must have the ‘cojones’ to stand up for their institutions and deal with issues including freedom of speech and sexual misconduct themselves, a former education secretary warned.
Charles Clarke, who was secretary of state for education under Tony Blair, said universities are “big enough and substantial enough” to take on issues including mental health, grade inflation and harassment without being micromanaged.
Currently the Office for Students regulates universities in England, but Mr Clarke said it is unnecessary and could pose a threat to their autonomy.
Speaking to the House of Lords Industry and Regulations Committee, Mr Clarke said the answer is “for universities to get more cojones themselves in standing up for themselves.
