UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) has found no evidence of wrongdoing by academics on an equality advisory body who were criticised by the science secretary for their social media posts questioning the government’s policy in the Israel-Gaza war.
Michelle Donelan, the Cabinet minister, has now faced calls to apologise for what was described as an “outrageous attack on academic freedom”.
Ms Donelan had last October expressed her “disgust and outrage” at Research England’s appointment of individuals to an advisory group on equality, diversity and inclusion who shared what she described as “extremist” and “unacceptable” views on social media following the 7 October attack by Hamas and Israel’s subsequent retaliation.
UKRI suspended the Research England Expert Advisory Group on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI), leading to a debate around freedom of speech, with several academics resigning from UKRI appointments as a result.
