Far-right personalities will be able to claim compensation for being "cancelled" from speaking gigs, in plans unveiled in Boris Johnson 's culture war Queen's Speech.
The Prime Minister left himself open to accusations of failing to deliver on the country's priorities, after setting out detailed protections for provocateurs, but no plans for social care.
The Higher Education "freedom of speech" bill will give allow speakers who face protests or have speeches cancelled because of their views to "seek compensation through the courts."
The government claims there is "growing concern" about a "chilling effect" on university campuses.
Video: Anti-government mass protests continue in Bogota, Colombia (Newsflare)
Anti-government mass protests continue in Bogota, Colombia
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But critics have said the law could have the opposite effect, denying the public the free-speech right to protest against views and personalities they find unacceptable.
© REUTERSThe PM came forward with no plans for social care
When the measures were first mooted in February, The University and College Union (UCU) general secretary, Jo Grady said: "It is extraordinary that in the midst of a global pandemic the government appears more interested in fighting phantom threats to free speech than taking action to contain the real and present danger which the virus poses to staff and students.
"In reality the biggest threats to academic freedom and free speech come not from staff and students, or from so-called 'cancel culture', but from ministers' own attempts to police what can and cannot be said on campus, and a failure to get to grips with the endemic job insecurity and managerialist approaches which mean academics are less able to speak truth to power."