UK to crackdown on extremists on university campuses

The UK government is planning to combat the growing radicalisation risk of university students by issuing an ultimatum to varsities to come out with an action plan by January 22 to curb hate preachers and extremists on campuses.
UK universities minister Jo Johnsonwill issue a new framework requiring universities to make public what measures they are taking to combat extremism.
"There is no place at UK universities for those who spread hate and seek to justify terrorism," Johnson said.
"Many universities and colleges already take strong action to safeguard those who are vulnerable and at risk of radicalisation, but we need a consistent approach to safeguard against extremism across the sector," Johnson added.

University chiefs will be ordered to hand over a counter-radicalisation risk assessment, an action plan and policies for dealing with hate preachers by January 22.
Those who fail to comply will be subject to new sanctions, 'The Sunday Times' reported.

They will also have to tell the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) how many events they have held with speakers where they have had to deploy extra security or where a preacher has been made to sign an agreement to abide by equality and diversity rules.
"That is why we have tasked HEFCE with monitoring [higher education] providers to ensure they remain vigilant, and why this new framework is so important to protect all of our students and the wider public," Johnson said.

The Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015 means that higher-education providers must have robust policies and procedures in place to prevent people being drawn into terrorism.
Under new rules, all universities have to take part in the "Prevent" programme to target radicals.
The crackdown follows a report in September by the government's new extremism analysis unit, which revealed that at least 70 events featuring hate speakers were held on campuses last year.
The report found that extremist speakers promoted rhetoric that was likely to undermine British values such as democracy, the rule of law, personal liberty and tolerance for other religions.

The unit named Queen Mary, King's College London, SOAS, and Kingston University as the worst offenders.
"Universities must continue to be places where controversial subjects can be discussed openly, and flawed or dangerous ideas challenged. All universities have protocols that have to be satisfied before external speakers are given the green light to speak at a campus event," said Nicola Dandridge, chief executive of Universities UK.