FlyTheNest

refitman wrote: Wed Apr 29, 2026 12:28 pm Good win for those who oppose platforming bigots

The appointment of Toby Young to the board, announced on 1 January 2018, generated controversy over his suitability for the post.[16] As at 8 January 2018, over 200,000 people had signed an online petition protesting his appointment. In response to questioning, Prime Minister Theresa May declared herself comfortable with his appointment, while the Universities minister defended him in the House of Commons. After criticism from leading Tory MPs, Young resigned on that day, claiming he had been turned into a caricature.[17][18]

In February 2021, James Wharton, Baron Wharton of Yarm, a Conservative peer, was made the chair and his appointment was endorsed by the Education Select Committee. Shadow Education Secretary Kate Green questioned his experience and suitability for the role, calling his appointment "cronyism".[19] Although it is customary for chairs of independent bodies to resign political affiliations during their period of office, Wharton chose not to resign from the Conservative whip.[20]

The actions of the Office for Students against the University of Sussex were overturned by judicial review on 29 April 2026.[21]

Earlier this week, we followed the money behind one of the most influential pressure groups in British politics: the Free Speech Union (FSU).

The FSU does not declare its donors. Indeed, Toby Young’s organisation has taken out a High Court injunction to stop the publication of a list of its donors obtained by hackers.

But we found that the FSU had received almost half a million pounds from Brexit politicians, Tufton Street insiders and US anti-abortionists.

In the wake of our investigation, many readers got in touch asking how it is possible that an organisation with the ear of government - and a regular presence in the media - is not required to answer the simple question: “who funds you?”