A Cambridge philosophy professor is to become the government’s first “free speech tsar” for higher education in England, it has been revealed, in an announcement made initially only to one newspaper – a move that led critics to accuse ministers of paying “lip service” to free speech.
Arif Ahmed told the Times he hoped to use his role to stand up for “all views”, and that he did not seek to take part in any sort of culture war agenda.
His role, news of which was released to other media a day later, was created by the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act, which was first introduced to the Commons in 2021, but received royal assent only last month.
Overseen by the Office for Students (OFS), Ahmed’s role is potentially controversial, given debate within the higher education sector over whether there is a notable problem of free speech being suppressed in universities.
In brief comments released by the Department for Education, Ahmed said: “Free speech and academic freedom are vital to the core purpose of universities and colleges. They are not partisan values. They are also fundamental to our civilisation. As director, I will defend them using all means available.”
