Universities accuse Tory whip of 'McCarthyism' after he demands details of Brexit syllabus
2 min read
Academics have hit out at a senior Tory MP after he wrote to universities asking for details of courses that cover Brexit and a list of teaching staff.
Chris Heaton-Harris, who is a member of the Tory whips' office, asked institutions for "the name of professors involved in the teaching of European affairs, with particular reference to Brexit", along with a copy of any relevant syllabus and online material.
Sky News political editor Faisal Islam tweeted a copy of the letter from Mr Heaton-Harris to the vice-chancellor of the University of Worcester, David Green.
Prof Green told the Guardian he would be replying, but would not supply the information requested by Mr Heaton-Harris.
“Here is the first step to the thought police, the political censor and newspeak, naturally justified as ‘the will of the British people’, a phrase to be found on Mr Heaton-Harris’s website," he said.
The head of the European Institute at the London School of Economics, Kevin Featherstone, also hit out, telling the paper: "The letter reflects a past of a McCarthyite nature.
"It smacks of asking: are you or have you ever been in favour of remain? There is clearly an implied threat that universities will somehow be challenged for their bias.”
And pro-Brexit academic Lee Jones, of Queen Mary University of London, said it was "really troubling that an MP thinks it is within his remit to start poking his nose into university teaching".
“Universities are autonomous and politicians have no right to intimidate academics by scrutinising their courses," Mr Jones added.
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