Gaza protests: UK uni leaders reassured campus security chiefs fearing backlash after US crackdown, email reveals

An investigation by Liberty Investigates and Sky News has also today revealed that universities across the UK have subjected as many as 113 students and staff to disciplinary investigations in connection with pro-Palestinian protest activity, and collaborated with private intelligence firms in what the UCU described as evidence of a “worsening crackdown on free speech”.

The investigation also highlighted an incident in May at Newcastle University – an AUCSO member – when an initially peaceful protest descended into chaos after dozens of police officers were called to the campus. Footage seen by reporters shows violent skirmishes erupting, with officers brandishing batons and physically removing students occupying a university building.

A wave of pro-Palestinian protest activity began on university campuses worldwide in late 2023, escalating during April 2024, as students demanded their institutions disclose and end any investments in companies considered complicit in Israel’s military action in Gaza.

Thousands of student protesters in the US were arrested and many still faced disciplinary proceedings at the start of this academic year. Several colleges have since introduced bans and restrictions on activities such as camping, overnight protests and use of banners and signs.

In the email to AUCSO members, uncovered following freedom of information (FOI) requests to universities, Curran wrote: “I was extremely interested when I attended the [US campus law enforcement] conference on how they were handling the encampments and what lessons they had learnt.

“Despite carrying out the instructions of their seniors, when things got tough the [campus police] chiefs weren’t supported, and in some cases were suspended/disciplined.

“One of the first things I did when I returned to the UK was to approach [University Vice Chancellors] and asked that they continually provide the UK AUCSO members with the support we require. The responses were extremely reassuring.”

In a LinkedIn post after the conference Curran also said he looked forward to “sharing and implementing some of [the campus police chiefs’] innovative strategies back home”.

Gina Romero, the United Nations special rapporteur for freedom of peaceful assembly, said it was “deeply disturbing” to learn that the increasingly “hostile environment” faced by pro-Palestinian protesters at universities, also documented in her own research, was connected to lobbying efforts behind the scenes.

“It is as if, overnight, many universities have become an absolutely hostile space for dissent and free expression, for the exercise of rights, and for learning,” the protest watchdog said, adding that universities had taken deliberate actions to curtail students’ rights in a way that puts “in danger the capacity of an entire generation to speak up and engage in the analysis and shaping of their realities”.

The Network for Police Monitoring (Netpol), a UK-based campaign group, also reacted with incredulity, saying “nobody needs to look to the US for examples of best practices – because there aren’t any”.

Campaigns coordinator Kevin Blowe added: “A product of its historical racial segregation, long accused of profiling and targeting Black students and of a lack of accountability, campus police is a violent and militarised presence inside US colleges and universities.”

The emails also reveal how AUCSO set up a “protest and assembly special interest group” in early May, as encampments sprang up across the country. In an initial meeting the more than 80 attendees were advised to “choose wording and phrasing carefully” when recording information about student protests as “it may be subject to [FOI] requests”.

Unlike individual universities, neither AUCSO nor UniversitiesUK – billed as the sector’s collective voice – are subject to freedom of information laws.

Coventry University disclosed a follow-up email from the private intelligence and security firm Horus Security Ltd after the meeting, offering to provide it with daily updates on “the developing situation at those universities experiencing encampments with information … on the numbers and groups involved”.

Other disclosures reveal at least nine universities received briefings on student protests from private intelligence firms including Horus, Mitie Intelligence Hub and Global Situational Awareness (GSA) Risk Specialists – though some emails suggest AUCSO circulated GSA reports far more widely to other universities.

An AUCSO spokesperson said it had no influence on the use of private intelligence firms by its members.

They added: “Universities see regular protests across different issues and students have the right to protest peacefully on issues that are important to them, whilst having full confidence that they are safe.

“Security teams need to be on hand but take a ‘softly-softly’ approach and work closely with all parties to ensure protests are safe and peaceful. The safety and security of our communities is of paramount importance to our members.

“Our main message to universities is to be aware and conscious of what is happening and keep a watchful eye, engage with your security teams and ensure fluid and regular comms and engagement with all key parties.”

A UniversitiesUK spokesperson said: “Universities work hard to balance their duty to protect and promote free speech, and to allow legitimate protest, with the obligation to ensure the safety of their campuses and the ability of staff and students to go about their work and study. In any case, they are also obliged by law to prevent hate speech and racism.

“While Universities UK does not have an operational role with our members, in instances including on the issue of protests and encampments, we have convened senior leaders and experts from the sector to share best practice and discuss the latest position.”

A version of this report was published with The Guardian.