Oxford Uni Chancellor candidate says free speech must be protected
Lord William Hague is among five people standing to be the University's next Chancellor
Lord Hague has said free speech on university campuses must be protected.
The former Conservative Party leader is standing to be Chancellor of Oxford University, after studying there in the late 1970s and early 1980s.
Speaking to Sky News, Lord William Hague also criticised so-called 'cancel culture'.
"It's very, very important that as a student you hear things that make you uncomfortable, that are a different perspective on life, and that often you adjust your own views as a result of that."
"Freedom of speech does need defending, and we always have to be vigilant in defending it."
Lord Hague also put his success down to his time as a student at Oxford, and added whilst the University is "at the forefront" of innovation, it cannot be complacent.
"Oxford was instrumental in one of the covid vaccines, also more recently in a malaria vaccine.
"There's work going on here on new biologically sourced materials instead of plastics, and new forms of computing."
Lord Hague is one of five candidates standing in the final round of the Chancellor election.
Former Attorney General Dominic Grieve and New Labour architect Lord Peter Mandelson are also among the final five.
St Hugh's College Principal and prosecutor Lady Elish Angiolini, and Somerville College Principal Baroness Jan Royall would become the University's first female Chancellor if successful.
Staff and alumni begin voting on Monday, with the winner announced on 25 November.