Cambridge University academics have responded to Conservative Party whip and MP Chris Heaton-Harris for what one Cambridge fellow deemed as a ‘McCarthy-style campaign.’

The MP for Davenport faced criticism earlier this week for writing to vice-chancellors of several universities, asking for the names of academics “involved with the teaching of European affairs, with particular reference to Brexit.” Downing Street have distanced themselves from Heaton-Harris’s actions, saying that he was not acting “as a representative of the government”.

The letter comes after Universities Minister Jo Johnson announced new measures to protect ‘free speech’ at universities earlier this month, including a consultation aiming to “ensure students are exposed to a wide range of issues and ideas in a safe environment without fear of censorship, rebuke or reprisal”.

Several Cambridge academics expressed their opposition to the MP’s letter. Speaking to Varsity, Economics lecturer Dr. Victoria Bateman criticised Heaton-Harris’ “McCarthy-style campaign,” which she said was an attempt at “rooting out those who disagree with his pro-Brexit stance.”

Dr. Chris Bickerton, a lecturer in modern European politics who has been quite outspoken in his views in favour of Brexit, took a more moderate stance, saying that the comparison of Heaton-Harris’ actions to McCarthyism amounted to “a hysterical counter-reaction”. However, he was clear to point out that, if asked, he “would not comply” with Heaton-Harris’s demands.

According to a YouGov survey commissioned by the University and College Union in January, less than 20% of academics voted in favour of Brexit. Speaking specifically of Cambridge University, Bickerton said: “I have never felt that academic freedom was undermined even though the vast majority of its academics voted Remain.”

He said that the “problems faced in implementing Brexit” were unrelated to university teaching, adding that “blaming university lecturers is pretty pathetic and desperate.”

His sentiments were echoed by Dr. Lorand Bartels, who teaches international, World Trade Organisation and EU law at the University, and said that “In principle, I think there is no difficulty in publicising our research. It’s paid for by the public, after all. But the clear intent of this request was sinister, and rightly rejected by the government. Above all, freedom of speech, and of research, is a core value that must be protected.”

The independence of academics was also stressed by Dr. Julie Smith, director of the European Centre in the Department of Politics and International Studies at the University. Commenting on Heaton-Harris’ “deeply troubling” actions, she said: “Academic freedom should not be curbed by political interference. The corollary is that whatever our personal views on an issue might be, academics know that our job it to impart information and to encourage critical thinking, analysis, and debate. In a free country, this should all go without saying.”

Catherine Barnard, Professor of EU Law at the University, also expressed her opposition to the letter in a comment to Varsity. In May, a study conducted by Barnard and her colleague Dr Amy Ludlow, found a “striking degree of consensus” in public opposition to a ‘hard Brexit’.

She told Varsity that, if the letter was simply a “request information of EU teaching,” it was “unnecessary”. However, she continued, “the fact that the letter has been sent to all vice-chancellors suggests a less benign intent.”