Students and academics have challenged the University over the decision to take disciplinary action against one student for their role in the David Willetts protest last November.

The University has said that action has been taken for the student’s role in “impeding freedom of speech”, but questions have been raised as the student was part of a wider protest organised by Cambridge Defend Education (CDE).

Varsity has learned that CDE plan to publish a 'Spartacus' letter showing support for the individual.

In the letter, they say: “We regard the persecution of a single, junior member of the University, whose actions did not relevantly differ from our own, as arbitrary and wrong. We therefore ask to be given the same charge.”

 This follows a letter addressed to the Vice-Chancellor, Sir Leszek Borysiewicz, that was signed by over 60 academics

Another letter addressed to the Vice-Chancellor, Sir Leszek Borysiewicz, that was signed by over 60 academics condemning the University’s actions, was sent privately on the 21st February.

However, no reply was received from Sir Leszek’s office, and so the letter was published in full on CDE’s website, along with the names of the academics who signed the letter.

The letter points out that over fifty senior members of the University issued a statement at the time agreeing that the protest and occupation were “proportionate and justified”.

Fears were also raised that, by targeting one student, the university “could reasonably be supposed to intimidate this individual, which therefore represents a failure of the University’s moral duty to them.”

It consequently “call[s] on the University authorities not to persecute those involved in the protest; and ask that the University strike a more appropriate balance between protecting its members’ rights to freedom of assembly and association and the right of others to freedom of speech.”

With the University appearing to maintain photographic and audio-visual records of the students involved, there are worries that this signals “a move towards a ‘surveillance culture’”.

It is therefore suggested that the University’s reasons for disciplining the student may be hypocritical, as such a move “would be incompatible with freedom of expression within the University.”

Bryony Bates, second-year King’s English student, told Varsity: “I didn’t agree with the way the Willets talk was disrupted, but I do think the University’s response is suspicious.”

“It seems extreme to me to discipline just one student when there were so many others there protesting and disrupting the talk too.”

A spokesperson for the University said: “The University Advocate is an independent authority and, in deciding whether to bring charges against a member of the University, does not act under the direction of any officer or body of the University.”

“No further comment can be made while the case is ongoing.”