Blurred lines

Government is mistaken to conflate violent extremism with radical thought, says former minister.

Bill Rammell, who was universities minister in the wake of the 7/7 terrorist attacks in London, has said there must be “room for manoeuvre” in discussions of what the Counter-Terrorism and Security Bill will mean for universities.

“I hope we are still in the process of dialogue,” said Rammell, who is now vice-chancellor of the University of Bedfordshire. He was contributing to a panel session organised by Research Professional, which publishes HE, at the Going Global conference organised by the British Council. Rammell warned that the new legislation “blurs the line” between violent extremism and non-violent radicalisation in a way that is “ultimately counter-productive”.