Ministers condemn university gender segregation

Downing Street has strongly condemned university leaders whose guidance endorsed voluntary segregation of men and women at guest events on campus.

Universities UK (UUK) said that, under some circumstances, the segregation of men and women would be allowed if requested by speakers from orthodox religious groups.

Segregating university students because a speaker demands it might not be discriminatory if men and women are “segregated in the same way”, according to university leaders.

Business secretary Vince Cable, whose department has responsibility for universities, has written to UUK urging it to clarify its position.

He said: “I am clear that forced segregation of any kind, including gender segregation, is never acceptable on campuses.

“But how the law applies where segregation is voluntary is unclear.”

Prime minister David Cameron told Channel 4 News that the guidance “is not the right approach.

“Universities should not allow this and I’m very clear about that.”

Mr Cameron’s spokesman added that the guide from UUK should be urgently reviewed. “There is a very important tradition of free speech in our educational institutions”, he said.

UUK, which has withdrawn part of the guidance, says that it may need to be tested in court.

The umbrella body has written to the Equality and Human Rights Commission requesting advice.