Defend free speech or descend into a political abyss, says freedom of speech tsar | BBC News

Arif Ahmed has been dubbed the “Free Speech Tsar” and is responsible for enforcing new rules to protect free speech on university and college campuses in England.

In an interview with Nick Robinson for BBC Radio 4’s Political Thinking podcast, he warned of falling into an “abyss” of political violence if we didn’t settle our differences through speech.

As Director of Freedom of Speech and Academic Freedom at the Office for Students, Ahmed threatened universities with fines and cutting off public funding if they fail to protect students and academics from intimidation.

You can watch the interview on BBC iPlayer or listen to an extended version on BBC Sounds.

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Post from BBC News on October 13, 2025

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