Professor ‘lined up’ for government’s academic free speech role is IHRA critic

A university professor reportedly being lined up by Rishi Sunak to become the first ever director for free speech on university campuses has been an outspoken critic of the IHRA definition of antisemitism in the past.

Newspaper reports have claimed that the Prime Minister favours Professor Arif Ahmed for the role, with powers to ensure visiting university speakers are not “cancelled” or banned from airing controversial views.

Ahmed has repeatedly warned that freedom of speech is under threat, and has argued that university should be an environment where “you can pretty much say anything you like.”

The Cambridge philosophy professor has also made clear his dislike of the IHRA definition of antisemitism.

In a blog written in February 2021, Ahmed wrote: “I am strongly against Gavin Williamson’s requirement that universities adopt the IHRA definition of antisemitism.”

“This ‘definition’ is nothing of the kind; adopting it obstructs perfectly legitimate defence of Palestinian rights.

“As such it chills free speech on a matter of the first importance. I hope the Secretary of State reconsiders the need for it; but these new free speech duties ought to rule it out in any case.”

The new academic freedom role is being established under the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill which is passing through parliament.

It includes a call for universities to “actively promote” free speech, including student unions.

Ahmed has previously been critical of both left and right wing failure to allow free speech.

Earlier this month, the professor took part in a Cambridge Union debate, arguing in favour of the right to offend.

He spoke  of the “right” not to be prevented from discussing issues by the state “just because it is offensive.”

Ahmed then said that it is “very difficult not to offend somebody” when discussing the issue of Israel/Palestine.

“Just stating facts can offend somebody,” he added.

Ahmed then gave the example of a New York schoolteacher who had placed a New York Times headline “Israel kills dozens of Palestinians” on his door together with a statement saying “I support Palestinian rights.”

The teacher was ordered to take it down, said Ahmed, because it was deemed to cause offence.

He told the debate: “That’s an example of an issue that because it’s so important it’s inevitably going to cause offence.”

But Ahmed then warned about the consequences of not being able to discuss the issue.

A spokesperson for the Department of Education told Jewish News that no decision has been made yet about the appointment and the recruitment process for the director for freedom of speech and academic freedom is currently still ongoing.

Professor Ahmed has also been contacted for comment over his critical views of the IHRA definition.

Downing Street confirmed the appointment was being handled by the Department for Education.