St Andrews has refused to release a list of professors whose teaching covers Brexit following a “sinister” letter from a Conservative MP.
Chris Heaton-Harris, a Eurosceptic and Tory whip, has faced heavy criticism for the request, which also asked vice-chancellors to supply their teaching resources on the subject.
In a withering response, university bosses at St Andrews said they would happily send Mr Heaton-Harris a leaflet for an evening class they run on European wines.
A spokeswoman for the university said: “Brexit is a major and developing European event and it would be surprising and disappointing if it did not influence broad parts of our curriculum now and in future.
“Our only Brexit-specific course at present, however, is a non-degree-bearing evening class on Wines of the European Union and Brexit, for which we would be happy to send Mr Heaton-Harris a leaflet.
“We will of course not be providing the names of academic staff per his written request.”
Politicians and academics have condemned Mr Heaton-Harris’s request as “offensive” and “disgraceful”.
Professor David Green, vice chancellor at the University of Worcester, described it as “sinister” and the “first step to the thought police, the political censor and Newspeak”.
A copy of the letter, which has been seen by The Courier, said: “I was wondering if you would be so kind as to supply me with the names of professors at your establishment who are involved in the teaching of European affairs, with particular reference to Brexit.
“Furthermore, if I could be provided with a copy of the syllabus and links to the online lectures which relate to this area I would be much obliged.”
Commons Leader Andrea Leadsom dismissed suggestions that the letter was “sinister”.
“That is a courteous letter asking for information,” she said. “There is nothing sinister about it. He is not compelling anybody to do anything. He is asking a question as Member of Parliament.
However, Downing Street distanced itself from the letter as a spokesman stressed the Theresa May’s respect for the “freedom and independence of universities”.
Mr Heaton-Harris tweeted on Tuesday afternoon: “To be absolutely clear, I believe in free speech in our universities and in having an open and vigorous debate on Brexit.”
Stephen Gethins, the MP for North East Fife and the SNP’s Europe spokesman, said: “The letter demanding to know what is being taught is a chilling new low for the Tory government, and because they have no idea on how to handle Brexit means that it is all the more important that others are able to speak their mind.
“Rather than trying to curb debate they should be trying to fill the policy vacuum left by their own inability to give any details over what Brexit means – such as the future of EU research funding, the Erasmus programme and freedom of movement for academics that is crucial to the future success of our universities.”
