Religious equality divides uni dons

After the university amended its equal opportunities policy to stress it “respects religious or philosophical beliefs of all kinds” and opposes discrimination, Prof Ross Anderson warned it could impact on freedom of speech among staff frightened of causing offence. A statement read out on behalf of Prof Geth Evans slammed the “half-baked” new policy as “misconceived and confused and . . . likely to do more harm than good”.

In March, Prof Anderson told the News iconic figures such as Newton and Darwin were part of a long tradition at Cambridge of “theicide” – the killing of gods – which was threatened by the policy amendments. He said: “This is very much an environment where people can challenge established belief and express thoughts which will challenge the faithful. “We should not allow ideas to be snuffed out in fear of causing offence.” [Cambridge News] Read more