Donelan’s UKRI letter is a ‘dramatic overreach’, says union

UCU head writes to science secretary saying she is “extremely concerned” about government interference

Science secretary Michelle Donelan’s demand that UK Research and Innovation disband its equality advisory panel constitutes a “dramatic overreach” by the government, the University and College Union has said.

Donelan’s intervention came after she sent a letter to UKRI chief Ottoline Leyser on 28 October, accusing members of the panel of sharing “extremist views” on social media in relation to the Israel-Hamas war.