University of Sussex Wins Free Speech Appeal

The University of Sussex successfully appealed a record £585,000 fine imposed by the United Kingdom — Office for Students, England's university regulator. The fine was issued following an investigation prompted by the 2021 resignation of philosophy professor Kathleen Stock, who left the University of Sussex after protests over her views on gender identity. The United Kingdom — Office for Students had claimed the University of Sussex breached free speech regulations through its trans and non-binary inclusion policy. However, the United Kingdom — High Court of Justiciary, led by Mrs Justice Lieven, ruled that the United Kingdom — Office for Students' decision was 'vitiated by bias,' finding that the regulator had a 'closed mind' and overstepped its jurisdiction. The court did not rule on the events surrounding Kathleen Stock's departure but focused on the flawed process of the United Kingdom — Office for Students' investigation. This judgment has been described as a 'devastating indictment' of the United Kingdom — Office for Students' impartiality and competence by Sasha Roseneil, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Sussex, and has led to calls from Universities UK and the University and College Union for a re-evaluation of the regulator's role and relationship with the sector. Josh Fleming, interim chief executive of the United Kingdom — Office for Students, expressed disappointment and stated the regulator would consider its next steps.