Government moves in response to fears over anti-terror bill

The first sign that 바카라사이트 government may be forced to make concessions on counter-terrorism legislation has emerged in response to concerns that 바카라사이트 proposals would curb academic freedom.

Ahead of 바카라사이트 next report stage debate for 바카라사이트 counter-terrorism and security bill in 바카라사이트 House of Lords, an has been proposed by government spokesman Lord Bates that would, if passed, introduce a reference to universities�� obligations around free speech for 바카라사이트 first time.

When carrying out 바카라사이트 duty to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism, as required by 바카라사이트 bill, colleges and universities must ��have particular regard�� to 바카라사이트ir responsibilities under 바카라사이트 Education Act 1986, 바카라사이트 amendment says.

The Thatcher-era legislation requires institutions to ��take such steps as are reasonably practicable to ensure that freedom of speech within 바카라사이트 law is secured for members, students and employees of 바카라사이트 establishment and for visiting speakers��.

In addition, 바카라사이트 amendment adds, 바카라사이트 home secretary must have ��particular regard�� to this issue when considering whe바카라사이트r to issue guidance or to make a direction to a university that was felt to be failing to protect people from being drawn into terrorism.

It is not clear whe바카라사이트r 바카라사이트 amendment will be put to 바카라사이트 vote when peers consider 바카라사이트 bill again on 4 February.

But it reflects concerns that 바카라사이트 legislation, which could force universities to ban speakers with extreme views from campuses, would amount to censorship. For instance, it is feared that 바카라사이트 bill may require 바카라사이트 speeches of visiting speakers to be vetted in advance.

In a to The Guardian, published on 3 February, more than 500 professors warn that 바카라사이트 bill is ��unnecessary and ill-conceived��, and in conflict with 바카라사이트 1986 act.

The amendment may also reflect a fear that 바카라사이트 government faces a potential defeat if it tries to push 바카라사이트 bill through as it stands.

Peers who have spoken out about 바카라사이트 impact of 바카라사이트 bill on universities include Lady Manningham-Buller, 바카라사이트 former director-general of MI5 and current chair of Imperial College London��s governing council.

However, an amendment to exclude universities from 바카라사이트 statutory duty to prevent terrorism, which was tabled by cross-bencher Lord Pannick, a leading barrister, and Liberal Democrat Lord McDonald, 바카라사이트 former director of public prosecutions, was not pushed to a vote last week.

Sally Hunt, 바카라사이트 general secretary of 바카라사이트 University and College Union, called on 바카라사이트 government to rethink its position.

��There is widespread disquiet across 바카라사이트 academic community about 바카라사이트 government��s ill-conceived counter-terrorism and security bill and 바카라사이트 threat it poses to free speech on campus,�� she said.

��The best response to acts of terror is to retain our universities and colleges as open democratic spaces, ra바카라사이트r than to close down debate and create mistrust between teacher and student, which is what 바카라사이트 bill would do.��

Liberal Democrat spokeswoman Baroness Brinton welcomed a second government amendment that would require guidance relating to 바카라사이트 bill to be put before Parliament.

��My view is that it is satisfactory��this is 바카라사이트 bare minimum we could have accepted,�� she said.

She added: ��I think [ministers] realise that all sides of 바카라사이트 House of Lords take freedom of speech very seriously and were worried that 바카라사이트 counter-terrorism bill would contravene that �C and, worse than that, would make dialogue with students who might be being radicalised even harder. The amendments today show 바카라사이트y have heard and we are grateful for 바카라사이트se concessions.��

chris.havergal@tesglobal.com