The Counter-Terrorism and Security Bill has received Royal Assent. A controversial provision – a duty on specified bodies, including the police, prisons, local authorities, schools and universities, to have ‘due regard’ to preventing people being drawn into terrorism – is set to commence in the coming months, subject to Parliamentary approval of secondary legislation before the end of March.
University figures have complained that having to check on their students could compromise the teacher-student relationship of trust. The Home Office said that it was acknowledging concerns raised by universities and other education institutions, and claimed that amendments made by the Government will ensure a balance of obligations under the new Prevent duty with principles of freedom of speech and academic freedom.
Home Secretary Theresa May, pictured, said: “The shocking attacks in Paris last month, in which 17 people lost their lives, and the many plots that the police and security and intelligence agencies continually work to disrupt, are clear evidence of the threat we face from terrorism. We have a fundamental duty as a government to ensure that the people who work to keep us safe have the powers they need to do so. This important legislation will disrupt the ability of people to travel abroad to fight and then return, enhance our ability to monitor and control the actions of those who pose a threat, and combat the underlying ideology that feeds, supports and sanctions terrorism. The events in Paris also highlighted important lessons for the UK – that whatever our nationality, faith or background, we must all work together as a nation to confront, challenge and defeat extremism and terrorism in all its forms, and stand up and speak out for our fundamental values.”
Earlier this month 500 UK academics signed a letter in the Guardian warning that the new law aimed at tackling extremism would be unenforceable. The professors called the counter-terrorism and security bill unnecessary and ill-conceived. The letter said: “Universities take their duty of care towards students very seriously, and guidance is already in place to combat extremism in academic settings.”
Robert Moretto, who has advised government departments including the Home Office, Cabinet Office and Department of Justice, has raised concerns in legal guidance that the new prevent duty guidance in the counter-terrorism and security bill is unworkable as it clashes with the duty for academic freedom as enshrined in the Education (No. 2) Act 1986.
At the University and College Union, UCU general secretary, Sally Hunt, said: ‘There is widespread disquiet across the academic community about the government’s ill-conceived counter-terrorism and security bill and the threat it poses to free speech on campus. The best response to acts of terror is to retain our universities and colleges as open democratic spaces, rather than to close down debate and create mistrust between teacher and student, which is what the bill would do.’
