Statement: Freedom Of Speech

Leeds University Union is committed to the promotion of freedom of speech, including debate, inquiry and protest, within the bounds of the law.

This means that we facilitate the expression of a wide range of views (political and academic) even when they are unpopular, controversial, or provocative.

LUU and the University of Leeds have set out our shared commitment to Freedom of Speech in the Freedom of Expression protocol.

Balancing our responsibilities carefully

The vast majority of LUU activity is organised by student groups.

There is no legal or moral difference between LUU and our many diverse student groups: when a student group invites a guest speaker or shares a publication, LUU is formally the body that has issued the invitation or published the document and is accountable to regulators on that basis.

We are a member-led organisation and have a legal duty to protect those members. As such we acknowledge our collective responsibility to freedom of speech within the law, which complement our safeguarding responsibilities.

We balance our responsibilities carefully. The freedom to speak must be balanced with the need to secure freedom from harm for students and communities. This is what ‘within the law’ means.

LUU intends that all our activities, including student group activities, are:

Lawful

Assessed for risk and appropriately managed

A positive experience for our members

Inclusive to all participants

Our approach to Freedom of Speech covers all events run by LUU or our LUU student groups and whether in person or online. LUU will actively promote freedom of speech by ensuring we support all participants to speak, and not only the person invited to be the main speaker.

Our conduct in these matters and the approach of our Trustees is guided by the principles that LUU is; regulated by the Charity Commission and the Education Act 1994, democratically directed by our members, and has a responsibility to the public.