University of London bans student protests

Student demonstrators have been told they could face prosecution should they protest in certain areas of the campus

The University of London (ULU) management has stated they are 'no longer willing to tolerate demonstrations' in certain areas of the university campus.

The decision drew strong condemnation from the president of the University of London Union, Michael Chessum.

Chessum called the decision an 'outrageous and draconian response from University management' in an open statement, released today.

In a letter sent to the ULU president last Friday, the university’s chief operating officer Chris Cobb gave a formal notification outlining the new limitations on student protests.

According to Cobb, protests should be limited to public spaces near Malet Street and Russell Square, and are no longer permitted in Senate House, the cloister entrance, and the east and west car parks.

He continued: "If this policy is not followed then the university will consider protesters to be trespassing on university property and will take all the necessary legal measures to prevent and prosecute such trespass."

A university spokesperson said: "The university is not preventing student protest, we are merely trying to ensure we protect the best interests of the wider student body, the researchers and other users of Senate House."

- independent.co.uk