Free Speech Union has vowed to protect Suella Braverman after her speech at Cambridge University was cancelled due to a threat from a pro-Palestinian group.
The former Home Secretary was due to speak about her career and life in politics at the university’s Conservative Association (CUCA), which she led 20 years ago as a student.
However, it was called off after campaign group Cambridge for Palestine called on supporters to “no platform” the “far-right” MP for Fareham and Waterlooville. The group said Braverman represented “everything we stand against”.
Posting on social media, the activist group said: “She’s showing up to a platform created by CUCA and we’ll embarrass her with numbers. Bring your flags, your friends and your anti-fascist energy.”
Free Speech Union vows action to protect Suella BravermanPACUCA and Braverman decided they could not guarantee her safety, or that of their guests, so called off the event.
The Conservative group considered paying for their own security for the event, however, at a price of £1,500, it was deemed as too expensive.
The former Home Secretary accused the “radical, militant” group of forcing CUCA to call off the event through “threats, intimidation, and mob-rule tactics”.
“This is not a peaceful protest; it’s an attempt to silence a democratically-elected Member of Parliament and an attack on free speech and British values,” she said.
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The former Home Secretary was due to speak about her career and life in politics at the university’s Conservative Association (CUCA)
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Braverman added: “This week of all weeks, I refuse to be intimidated by the pro-Palestinian mob. I was resolute in my intention to speak to the Cambridge University Conservative Association, and whilst the event has been delayed for now, it will proceed at a future date.
“Conservatives will not back down. I will not be silenced and neither will the millions of British people and defenders of free speech who stand proud, firm and unyielding against radical mob rule.”
Now, FSU, a group “that stands up for people whose right to freedom of expression has been violated”, has promised to pay for the costs for the security detail which would allow the event to go ahead at a date in the future.
After Braveman and CUCA announced that the event was called off, a spokesperson for the pro-Palestine group said: “CAMBRIDGE TWO, BRAVERMAN NIL: CUCA has postponed Suella Braverman’s talk due to the planned protest!
The former Home Secretary accused the ‘radical, militant’ group of forcing CUCA to call off the event through ‘threats, intimidation, and mob-rule tactics’
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“Let’s all keep an eye on the CUCA socials and be ready to mobilise any time she tries to sneak past us. In the meantime, we won’t be protesting but we might have a small presence to raise awareness of Cambridge anti-raids organising at that time. Feel free to pop by.”
The incident comes after Sir Keir Starmer’s new Government has halted a new legislation that was aimed at tackling cancel culture on campuses.
Labour claimed that the law is “not fit for purpose” as it could put Jewish students at the mercy of antisemitic abuse.
The newly scrapped law would have seen academic institutions being given a legal duty to encourage free speech – for its students, staff, and also guests.