A leading academic who chaired a recent government review into the collection of sex and gender data has threatened legal action against the University of Bristol, accusing the institution of failing to adequately protect her right to freedom of speech.
Professor Alice Sullivan has also formally written to the higher education regulator, the Office for Students (OfS), following the disruption of a public lecture she delivered at the university that was interrupted by a protest from trans rights activists.
Universities in England have a long-standing legal duty to uphold freedom of speech for staff, students and visiting speakers, while also balancing that obligation with the right to lawful protest. That responsibility has taken on renewed significance following the introduction of a strengthened freedom of speech law, which came into force in August.
The University of Bristol has rejected Prof Sullivan’s claims, insisting that the event proceeded safely despite what it described as “unacceptable disruption,” and maintaining that all actions taken were consistent with its commitment to free speech.
Prof Sullivan led a government-commissioned review published in March, which recommended that biological sex and gender identity be recorded as separate categories in official data collection. She said she accepted an invitation in July 2024 from a Bristol academic to speak on her findings, with the event eventually scheduled for October 22, 2025, after several delays.
In a letter sent by her lawyers, Prof Sullivan said the university initially proposed holding the event online rather than in person, a suggestion she declined. Speaking to the BBC, she said she did not fully anticipate the scale of the protest but accepted that people with opposing views had the right to express them peacefully.
“Everyone has a right to peaceful protest, but it must never become a heckler’s veto that shuts down other people’s right to speak,” she said. “This is not just about my rights as a visiting speaker; it is about the right of the university community to debate and listen.”
On the day of the event, protesters gathered outside the venue, some holding placards and using loudhailers. Videos verified by the BBC showed demonstrators making rude gestures, while placards were pressed against large windows visible from inside the lecture room. Prof Sullivan described the scene as intimidating and likened it to a “zombie apocalypse.”
The disruption escalated when the fire alarm was triggered more than once, forcing interruptions to the talk. Security staff later advised moving the event to a higher floor. As Prof Sullivan left the building, she said she heard chants of “shame on you.”
Police confirmed they attended the event but said no arrests were made.
Prof Sullivan’s legal letter argues that the University of Bristol had more than 15 months to arrange a secure and suitable venue. It also claims that internal documents disclosed by the university show complaints were made by its LGBTQ+ staff network opposing her appearance.
She has raised these concerns with the Office for Students, which has the authority to fine universities that fail to uphold freedom of speech. Earlier this year, the OfS imposed a record £585,000 fine on the University of Sussex, ruling that its transgender and non-binary inclusion policy had created a “chilling effect” on lawful speech.
That case followed the departure of philosophy professor Kathleen Stock, who resigned after sustained protests over her gender-critical views. In the wake of the OfS ruling, the University of Bristol withdrew a similar policy requiring staff to remove “transphobic and anti-trans material” from campus.
Prof Sullivan told the BBC she believes “gender ideology” influenced the university’s handling of her talk and said senior management missed an opportunity to address her concerns constructively.
“They could have apologised and said they would do better in future. That is all I want from them,” she said.
In response, a University of Bristol spokesperson said the lecture went ahead safely and that measures were put in place to protect both the speaker and attendees.
“We refute claims that we failed to protect Professor Sullivan’s freedom of speech,” the spokesperson said. “Every action we took was in support of lawful free speech and necessary for public safety.”
The university condemned the behaviour of protesters, stating that intimidation was not a form of peaceful protest and confirming that disciplinary action would be taken if any members of the university community were identified as being involved.
