UCU calls on Jo Johnson to condemn MP demanding names of Brexit professors

Responding to news that Conservative whip Chris Heaton-Harris MP has written to universities asking for the names of academics involved in teaching European affairs “with particular reference to Brexit”, the University and College Union (UCU) said the letter had the “acrid whiff of McCarthyism” about it and called on universities minister Jo Johnson to condemn it.

UCU general secretary Sally Hunt said: ‘Our society will suffer if politicians seek to police what universities can and cannot teach. This attempt by Chris Heaton-Harris to compile a hit list of professors has the acrid whiff of McCarthyism about it and Jo Johnson must disown it in the strongest terms.

‘Our universities and colleges must lead the way in defending academic freedom, where received wisdom can be challenged and controversial ideas debated.’