Our Chief Executive, Ottoline Leyser, responded yesterday 30 October to an open letter from Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, Michelle Donelan.
Dear Secretary of State,
Thank you for your letter of 28 October regarding comments made on X by members of Research England’s Equality Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Group. I, and all my UKRI colleagues, are shocked by the terrorist acts of Hamas on October 7th and the tragic humanitarian crisis that has unfolded.
I am deeply concerned about the issues you raise in your letter and I am taking swift and robust action accordingly. This action is guided by the principles you articulate, including the Nolan Principles and freedom of speech within the law, and will follow the procedures set out in the advisory group conditions of appointment.
First, I have asked Professor Dame Jessica Corner, Executive Chair of Research England, to suspend operations of the Research England Equality Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Group with immediate effect.
