Government demanded to scrap “absurd” rule banning expert speakers

EMBARGO: Immediate Release

The Liberal Democrats have written to the Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden calling on him to scrap the Government rule that led to nerve agent expert, Dan Kaszeta being banned from speaking at a Ministry of Defence conference on chemical weapons. 

It comes weeks after the Government’s Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill received Royal Assent, and numerous Conservative MPs addressed numerous conferences claiming that free speech is under attack.

Previously, Jacob Rees-Mogg introduced rules as a Minister that meant the Government would vet the social media accounts of guest speakers at their events, including going back five years, to see if they had criticised Government policy.

In the letter Liberal Democrat Cabinet Office Spokesperson Christine Jardine called on the Government to respect the right of free speech from guest speakers and scrap the rules.

Commenting, Liberal Democrat Cabinet Office Spokesperson Christine Jardine MP said: 

“It is incredibly hypocritical for a Government which claims to be so keen to maintain free speech to actively restrict experts speaking.

“The idea that speakers are being uninvited from speaking at Government-organised conferences or giving talks to civil servants because they have criticised the Government raises serious questions."

“This is a clear assault on free speech, which is unacceptable."

ENDS

Notes to Editors

Letter from Liberal Democrat Cabinet Office Spokesperson Christine Jardine to Oliver Dowden: 

Dear Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster,

I am writing following reports that Dan Kaszeta, a renowned expert on nerve agents, has been disinvited from speaking at a Ministry of Defence organised conference on chemical weapons. 

Mr Kaszeta has revealed that the reason cited by the MOD for his invitation being rescinded was that: “Rules introduced by the Cabinet Office in 2022 specify that the social media accounts of potential speakers must be vetted before final acceptance to the programme…The check on your social media has identified material that criticises government officials and policy.”

The idea that speakers are being disinvited from speaking at Government-organised conferences or addressing civil servants because they have in the past criticised the Government is Orwellian. This is a clear assault on free speech, which is unacceptable. 

It is also a hypocritical approach. One only has to look at the news to find Conservative MP after Conservative MP criticising the Government - indeed, it was less than a year ago that 57 ministers resigned from the Government following scandals involving the-then Prime Minister.

It is particularly concerning that in this case an expert was prevented from addressing a conference on chemical weapons. This comes following the case of Professor Kate Devlin - an AI expert - who was disinvited from speaking to a women in tech event by the Government. 

I previously wrote to the Cabinet Secretary regarding this policy on 26th April and expressed my concerns, although I am yet to receive a response. These new reports are the latest troubling development regarding these rules, which should have no place in Government. I urge you to tear them up with immediate effect. 

I look forward to hearing from you as soon as possible.

Yours sincerely,

Christine Jardine

Liberal Democrat Cabinet Office Spokesperson