Russell Groups response to Free Speech

Justme56 · 2024-05-23T14:01:51+00:00

[[https://russellgroup.ac.uk/media/6216/russell-group-ofs-approach-to-free-speech-summary.pdf https://russellgroup.ac.uk/media/6216/russell-group-ofs-approach-to-free-speech-summary.pdf]] See the sixth bullet point.

DrBlackbird · 23/05/2024 19:00

https://unherd.com/newsroom/russell-group-apologises-for-classing-gender-critical-views-as-hate-speech/

Russell Group apologises for classing ‘gender critical’ views as hate speech

The Russell Group, the collection of 24 elite UK universities, has issued an apology today after grouping “gender critical” ideas alongside unlawful forms of speech in a memo to the Office for Students. The original memo asked that the OfS provide “exa...

https://unherd.com/newsroom/russell-group-apologises-for-classing-gender-critical-views-as-hate-speech/

DrBlackbird · 23/05/2024 18:56

AnotherAngryAcademic · 23/05/2024 16:01

Just published on Russell Group twitter:

We apologise for an error in our original submission to the OfS free speech consultation, which incorrectly listed "gender critical" speech as an example of unlawful speech, in place of "transphobic". This was a genuine mistake and we have now republished our corrected summary.

Yah right. Just a mistake. Freudian? Silent threat to GC academics? Mistake as in now you see my thinking, now you don’t see my thinking sleight of hand?

yetanotherusernameAgain · 23/05/2024 18:18

This from the Education Hub blog on the Gov.UK website [bold is my emphasis]:

"The Government’s Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill became law 11 May 2023 in a huge step forward in protecting freedom of speech and academic freedom on university campuses."

...

"The Act will require universities, colleges and students’ unions in England to take steps to ensure lawful freedom of speech on campus. This doesn’t include unlawful speech, such as harassing others or inciting violence or terrorism."

"It is for universities, colleges and students’ unions to consider whether the speech is lawful, by taking into account criminal law such as the Public Order Act 1986 and legislation such as the Equality Act 2010. They will also set out and publish a code of practice for freedom of speech on campus."

https://educationhub.blog.gov.uk/2023/05/30/freedom-of-speech-act-how-it-will-affect-university-students/

Freedom of Speech Act: How it will affect university students – The Education Hub

The Education Hub is a site for parents, pupils, education professionals and the media that captures all you need to know about the education system. You’ll find accessible, straightforward information on popular topics, Q&As, interviews, case studies,...

https://educationhub.blog.gov.uk/2023/05/30/freedom-of-speech-act-how-it-will-affect-university-students

maltravers · 23/05/2024 18:05

AnotherAngryAcademic · 23/05/2024 16:01

Just published on Russell Group twitter:

We apologise for an error in our original submission to the OfS free speech consultation, which incorrectly listed "gender critical" speech as an example of unlawful speech, in place of "transphobic". This was a genuine mistake and we have now republished our corrected summary.

“It was a genuine mistake that we revealed we have picked a side and intend to undermine women who don’t agree that TWAW” more like.

ArabellaScott · 23/05/2024 17:49

Marmaladelover · 23/05/2024 15:49

Linked to this thread - hope I am not hijacking

The Unofficial WI prevented me posting very reasonable GC views on their Facebook page , my comment to a post was that the WI need to have mechanisms in place and increase the pooling of fares for training and paying for delegates at national conference so that everybody now has a single room accommodation . (Usual and present practice is based on 2 women sharing a room ) This is because of their policy to admit TW .

I know the act of removing my comments to a post whilst leaving that post up is likely to be unlawful and am looking for a solicitor to help me with a cease and desist letter, since this keeps happening on that site.

Suggestions gratefully received.

I would suggest contacting the Free Speech Union.

TempestTost · 23/05/2024 17:47

Chersfrozenface · 23/05/2024 16:10

They're going to have to define "transphobic".

Also, is there a legal definition of "unlawful speech"?

Yeah, I'm not sure that what they are talking about meets that definition. Even apart from the gender critical bit.

Chersfrozenface · 23/05/2024 17:44

ArabellaScott · 23/05/2024 17:43

Oh, sorry, we used the word 'bitch' where we meant to say 'woman'.

Show quote history

Is it even that?

Isn't it "Oh, sorry, we used the word 'bitch' where we meant to say 'bigot'"?

ArabellaScott · 23/05/2024 17:43

Womblingmerrily · 23/05/2024 16:17

I'm not sure it's good that they have swapped gender critical for transphobic, therefore in their mind inferring that they are interchangeable.

I think it's very instructive.

ArabellaScott · 23/05/2024 17:43

AnotherAngryAcademic · 23/05/2024 16:01

Just published on Russell Group twitter:

We apologise for an error in our original submission to the OfS free speech consultation, which incorrectly listed "gender critical" speech as an example of unlawful speech, in place of "transphobic". This was a genuine mistake and we have now republished our corrected summary.

Oh, sorry, we used the word 'bitch' where we meant to say 'woman'.

RainWithSunnySpells · 23/05/2024 17:10

It was archived here.

https://archive.ph/y9TCB

MinorDisaster · 23/05/2024 17:01

User1979289 · 23/05/2024 16:32

@MrsMitford3 would you mind posting it?

In the interests of historical accuracy, and of amendment, could you post both versions?! Thanks.

birchtreeglow · 23/05/2024 16:43

I was having a little surf searching for 'unlawful speech'.

Found this from the HoL Library. One mention of unlawful, which leads on to this HoC and HoL Joint Committee on Human Rights Freedom of Speech in Universities report.

TRAs holding up signs such as 'kill a terf' and everything else we've seen and heard in that vain should be arrested, not the women on X for posting that men are men.

Snowypeaks · 23/05/2024 16:39

misscockerspaniel · 23/05/2024 16:04

Genuine mistake my arse.

Took the words out of my mouth!
😁

User1979289 · 23/05/2024 16:32

@MrsMitford3 would you mind posting it?

HelenaTranscart · 23/05/2024 16:18

Shows the power of Mumsnet! Let's keep at them and all the other organisations peddling this pernicious ideology.

Womblingmerrily · 23/05/2024 16:17

I'm not sure it's good that they have swapped gender critical for transphobic, therefore in their mind inferring that they are interchangeable.

lady69 · 23/05/2024 16:12

AnotherAngryAcademic · 23/05/2024 16:01

Just published on Russell Group twitter:

We apologise for an error in our original submission to the OfS free speech consultation, which incorrectly listed "gender critical" speech as an example of unlawful speech, in place of "transphobic". This was a genuine mistake and we have now republished our corrected summary.

Well, that was quick! Good

Chersfrozenface · 23/05/2024 16:12

MrsMitford3 · 23/05/2024 16:05

The link is gone...

Sadly for them, I have downloaded the file. As have others, I don't doubt.

Chersfrozenface · 23/05/2024 16:10

They're going to have to define "transphobic".

Also, is there a legal definition of "unlawful speech"?

jacksonlambsregulardisorder · 23/05/2024 16:10

It doesn't say much for the Russell Group's editorial and publishing processes, does it? Or their attention to detail, commitment to free speech, grasp of current issues or awareness of tribunals within their own sector.

I think this is the consultation they're responding to:
https://www.officeforstudents.org.uk/media/znzlhij1/free-speech-consultation-guidance-other-matters-final.pdf

https://www.officeforstudents.org.uk/media/znzlhij1/free-speech-consultation-guidance-other-matters-final.pdf

MrsMitford3 · 23/05/2024 16:05

The link is gone...

PickAChew · 23/05/2024 16:05

AnotherAngryAcademic · 23/05/2024 16:01

Just published on Russell Group twitter:

We apologise for an error in our original submission to the OfS free speech consultation, which incorrectly listed "gender critical" speech as an example of unlawful speech, in place of "transphobic". This was a genuine mistake and we have now republished our corrected summary.

Hopefully they've had strong words with that intern

GerbilStyle · 23/05/2024 16:04

Hmm not much better , It seems like they said the quiet bit out loud. misogynistic speech is ok though

misscockerspaniel · 23/05/2024 16:04

Genuine mistake my arse.

AnotherAngryAcademic · 23/05/2024 16:01

Just published on Russell Group twitter:

We apologise for an error in our original submission to the OfS free speech consultation, which incorrectly listed "gender critical" speech as an example of unlawful speech, in place of "transphobic". This was a genuine mistake and we have now republished our corrected summary.

x.com

https://x.com/RussellGroup/status/1793658039989588181