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# Government to fine universities that ban hate speech
- URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/government-to-fine-universities-that-ban-hate-speech/
- Published: 2021-02-15T17:01:33.000Z
- Updated: 2021-02-15T10:45:48.000Z
- Description: UK education secretary, Gavin Williamson, to release new regulations regarding free speech at universities tomorrow.
- Author: Rachel Badham
- Tags: News, Politics, education, LGBTQ, UK, UK News, UK Politics

![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/gavin-williamson-1.jpg)

Gavin Williamson

**UK** education secretary, **Gavin Williamson**, is due to release new regulations regarding free speech at universities tomorrow, which could see institutions receive fines for banning hateful speakers. According to [*The Telegraph*](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2021/02/13/exclusive-universities-face-fines-part-twin-assault-cancel-culture/?ref=scenemag.co.uk), Williamson is going to appoint a ‘free speech champion’, who will penalise universities which ban speakers for their hateful views. A government source said: *“Free speech underpins our democratic society and our universities have a long and proud history of being places where students and academics can express themselves freely, challenge views and cultivate an open, inquiring mind.”*

![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/hate-speech-is-not-free-speech-1.jpg)

However, some have expressed concern about the new regulations which could see racist and anti-LGBTQ+ speakers be given a greater platform. **Dr Lisa Tilley**, a lecturer at Birkbeck university,[ tweeted](https://twitter.com/Tilley101/status/1360880879783075840?ref=scenemag.co.uk): *“Free speech here means racist, fascist, transphobic, anti-Semitic, Islamophobic (etc) speech free from opposition, accountability and consequences.”* Tilley urged universities to continue to ban hate speech, saying: *“Universities need to reject this authoritarian move which goes well beyond Trumpism.”*

![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/stop-hate-speech-1.jpg)

**Jo Grady**, general secretary for the University and College Union, also criticised the new order, [saying](https://twitter.com/DrJoGrady/status/1360878558852362240?ref=scenemag.co.uk): *“The government appears to support free speech so much that despite there being no evidence of a free speech crisis on campus, they want to create a ‘free speech champion’ with the specific purpose of sanctioning institutions for allowing people to exercise choice and free speech…The ‘evidence base’ for this ‘woke-induced free speech crisis’ is completely manufactured.”*