House of Lords opposition to the Westminster government’s plans to allow universities and students’ unions to be sued over perceived breaches of free speech show there is “little support for introducing scope for endless litigation”, according to a former Conservative universities minister.
The Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill continued its delayed, bumpy progress as it reached committee stage in the House of Lords this month.
Former Tory universities ministers Lord Johnson of Marylebone and Lord Willetts were among peers from all parties to restate earlier opposition to the bill’s plan for a “statutory tort” that would enable individuals to sue English universities and students’ unions for compensation “if they have suffered loss” as a result of a breach of institutions’ duties to protect free speech on campus.
