While the University has strong freedom of speech principles in theory, practically they stood by and allowed the SCR to blatantly breach the Equality Act of 2010 in relation to GSL.
The University of Glasgow states that the University is a place “where debate and discussion of ideas should happen as a matter of course.” Within this, “freedom of expression, the right to disagree, the protection of all staff and students in their right to hold views and of academic freedom are at the very heart of our mission.”
Furthermore, they strongly argue that the University “supports the right of individuals, groups and societies to arrange events, conferences, lectures and seminars on challenging topics with speakers who may be controversial. We will seek at all times to enable and encourage free speech, as long as this takes place within the law and without incitement to violence, discrimination or hatred.”
“Freedom of speech can sometimes mean upholding the right of some to offend others through their publicly expressed views or beliefs…. Actions which are intended to provoke hatred on grounds of protected characteristics as defined in the Equality Act 2010… will not be tolerated at The University of Glasgow.”
Consequently, it comes as no surprise that the institution thinks that students “may express any opinion provided it is within the law.”
An external pro-life speaker would have to be assessed, like any other event, according to its protocol. This protocol involves the University’s legal duty” to have due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism”. However, “the vast majority of events, including academic seminars and guest lecturers will – as at present – be seen as a normal part of the University’s day to day activity.”
Finally, the University also has an Equality and Diversity policy which is publicly available.
Furthermore, they strongly argue that the University “supports the right of individuals, groups and societies to arrange events, conferences, lectures and seminars on challenging topics with speakers who may be controversial. We will seek at all times to enable and encourage free speech, as long as this takes place within the law and without incitement to violence, discrimination or hatred.”
“Freedom of speech can sometimes mean upholding the right of some to offend others through their publicly expressed views or beliefs…. Actions which are intended to provoke hatred on grounds of protected characteristics as defined in the Equality Act 2010… will not be tolerated at The University of Glasgow.”
Consequently, it comes as no surprise that the institution thinks that students “may express any opinion provided it is within the law.”
An external pro-life speaker would have to be assessed, like any other event, according to its protocol. This protocol involves the University’s legal duty” to have due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism”. However, “the vast majority of events, including academic seminars and guest lecturers will – as at present – be seen as a normal part of the University’s day to day activity.”
Finally, the University also has an Equality and Diversity policy which is publicly available.
|
“Our society exists to start a conversation about serious bioethical issues such as abortion and euthanasia, and we want to have a proper academic debate on the issue. The fact that the SRC would deny a platform for open debate on such an important issue is disappointing. We want to see this decision overturned not just for the pro-life cause, but also to protect freedom of expression at Glasgow University.”
Grace President of Glasgow Students for Life 2018-19 |
|
Considering all of these strong statements, it is disappointing to note that Glasgow Student for Life (GSL) were originally banned from affiliating with their Student Union, the Student’s Representative Council (SCR), and the university did not become involved.
Having submitted an application in October 2018, GSL were told that they could not affiliate the following month. GSL immediately submitted an equality complaint, citing the Equality Act of 2010 which includes philosophical beliefs (or lack thereof) as a protected characteristic. The SRC also violated their own Equality and Diversity Policy by denying the group access to their facilities. Despite this, the SRC met in December and almost unanimously voted to continue with their unjust and illegal crusade. After telling GSL they could not affiliate, the SRC initially ignored the pro-life group as well as their own complaints procedures deadline. The University Senate, Principle, and Rector were all contacted by GSL for support but none was given. Consequently, GSL had no other option but to pursue legal action and informed all relevant parties of their intent. |
|
The final day before GSL began legal action, the SRC agreed that the rejection of GSL’s affiliation was a form of direct discrimination against the group of students and therefore revoked its ban. It is worth noting that this was not done gracefully – the student paper reported that “The SRC have no option but to affiliate the anti-choice society Glasgow Students for Life following threats of legal action. The anti-abortion society threatened to sue the SCR for discrimination after they were denied affiliation in December 2018. The SRC have since sought legal advice to defend their decision but have been advised that as anti-choice beliefs are considered a protected characteristic under the Equality Act 2010, there is no legal basis to fight the lawsuit.”