Equalities minister Kemi Badenoch has called for new measures to tackle workplace harassment and bullying after a university professor quit due to her views on gender identity. Speaking in the House of Commons, Badenoch said the government 'should do more' following the 'disgraceful treatment' of Professor Kathleen Stock.
Professor Stock announced she would be leaving the University of Sussex last month after a 'horrible time'. Her decision came after an anonymous group, reportedly set up by students, launched a campaign to get her sacked amid accusations of transphobia. Stock has previously said she believes gender identity is not more important than facts about biological sex, 'particularly when it comes to law and policy'.
Badenoch also backed comedian John Cleese, who recently pulled out of speaking at the Cambridge Union after it emerged certain speakers had been blacklisted. 'John Cleese was quite right to highlight this issue,' she said. 'However, it shouldn't be up to comedians to educate students on core values such as freedom of speech and freedom of belief. The universities themselves should do that.'
The minister added that the government has introduced the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill to strengthen freedom of speech and academic freedom in universities and ensure individuals can seek redress.
