Vice Chancellor of Kathleen Stock's University will be on R4 sometime between 8-8.30

He was choosing his words carefully, and sounded unsure of himself, but his position was clear and unequivocal, so that is a great step forward.

The point is that have you ever heard someone from the trans activism part of the debate in an environment as safe as the Today programme sounding so hesitant and needing to be so ultra-careful in choosing their words?

It’s so interesting that people thought he sounded terrified. I just think he sounded like someone who was careful in his choice of words. At the end of the day he wants his campus to come together and be more open to discussion, and not have a situation where the TRAs can run around claiming to be even more victimised, staging sit ins, and other disruptive nonsense. But he was also very clear that academic freedom is paramount. Didn’t mince his words on that.

I had a look to see how this went down on twitter. Lots of blokes saying that if Stock has academic freedom to have her say then students at the same institution have the same freedom. They don't seem to be bothered that the problem is the targeted harassment of a woman. It's a shame the interview wasn't able to explore how this harassment actually exists in the context of the current debate about misogyny.

I noticed neither man spoke the forbidden words "conflict of rights"

JW was good. He was a bit feeble but at least he held the line about freedom of speech.

I heard the term "compassion" used yet again. He said the culture is "new". What is new is the use of this word compassion over and over in arguments around freedom of speech and it too has changed its meaning to signify "shut up". Compassion originally means

"the feeling that arises when you are confronted with another's suffering and feel motivated to relieve that suffering"

It isn't something that you can instruct people on. Moreover it describes the GC point of view perfectly. Every GC person I have ever spoken to is compassionate and seeking to protect all. But I don't think that was what the VC was referring to - he sounded pretty ill informed.

He sounded extremely nervous but at least he was willing to step forward and do the interview. As JW said there is mostly silence around this issue.

I've seen criticisms of Stock over her book being too conciliatory. To me, this shows how useful her approach has been. She's getting the abuse in any case but it's in the context of having written a particularly reasonable book.

Helen Joyce said something similar in her recent interview with Coleman Hughes about her approach in writing Trans.

Didn’t think he sounded terrified. I think he was trying to foster a situation where debate could take place in his university whilst at the same time being clear that an investigation into this incident was under way and that they had disciplinary processes

The presenter made useful points about no one else being public enough in support

He did sound terrified but I'm so glad this is getting airtime.

I thought he came across well.

The group states that “The rhetoric employed by Kathleen Stock contributes to the environment of dire safety for trans people” 🙄 I have yet to see any evidence for that. I keep politely asking everyone who asserts this but no one is forthcoming. One could much more easily argue that the TRA agenda actively harms all manner of children who, like all of us have experienced, are struggling with the initial stages of puberty, sexuality and growing into their adult bodies and identities. I’m not sure that regressive gender stereotypes, lifelong medication and surgery are harm free or “innate/natural.” At least when I make assertions I have some evidence…

Anyway the interview was only a few short minutes. It was probably the most diplomatic public support that the university could give Prof Stock, and at least she isn’t being pursued in a witch hunt by her own institution.

I didn’t think the interview was too bad. He was very clear that no-one should be trying to bully academics out of a job, that academic freedom must be protected, and emphasised the need to listen - which is surely a good thing? Polarisation and refusal to debate is what has got us here in the first place.

He sounded absolutely terrified. Thinking before each and every word.

I think it was ok actually. He clearly doesn't have a grip of the scale of bullying across the country, but the support for freedom of speech he articulated is the strongest I've seen from a university.

I also wondered what on earth he’s afraid of. One would think he’d have full confidence in his own position. But no.

Missed it

@TedImgoingmad didn't he just! Complete non interview though JW did try.

Justin Webb being very clear that this is an attempt to bully Prof Stock out of her job