Anti-Brexit MEP dropped from debate for criticising Tory MP calls on Oxford vice-chancellor to defend free speech

Sign up to our free Brexit and beyond email for the latest headlines on what Brexit is meaning for the UK Sign up to our Brexit email for the latest insight Sign up to our Brexit email for the latest insight SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A Liberal Democrat MEP has called on the University of Oxford’s vice-chancellor to defend free speech on campus after she was dropped from a Brexit debate organised by students. The decision came after the anti-Brexit MEP sent a tweet just before saying she would try “to put the little unicorns Daniel lets free every now and then back in their stables” during the debate. She wrote: “Oxford University has a proud and world renowned tradition of free speech and should not accept this kind of behaviour, which looks like censorship on campus, lightly.” Ms Bearder urged the vice-chancellor to speak to the society and tell them that they must adhere to new guidance on “defending free speech” and ensuring campuses remain a forum for open debate. A spokesperson for the Oxford University Polish Society, which organised the event at the university’s examination schools, has denied charges of “stifling free speech” and “censorship”.