Government row over ban on extremist speakers on university campuses

‘A coalition row about limiting free speech on university campuses to ban hate preachers has broken out with the Tories saying their default position is now that any extremist speaker should be banned, given the potential damage they can do.

The Liberal Democrat position, meanwhile, is that the debate should go ahead as long as it is well chaired. Conservative chairman, Grant Shapps, accused the Lib Dem business secretary, Vince Cable, of trying to weaken the planned guidance to universities.

The row came as the shadow home secretary, Yvette Cooper, separately accused the government of tying the hands of the security services over the past five years by removing the relocation powers that used to be within control orders.’

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