China academic intimidation claim referred to counter-terrorism police

Counter-terrorism police have launched an investigation into allegations that Sheffield Hallam University was compelled by China to suspend human rights research. Documents from the BBC and the Guardian newspaper reveal that China waged a two-year campaign of coercion and harassment, including calls for the university to suspend critical research into allegations of forced labour in China's Xinjiang region. According to a South Yorkshire Police spokesperson, the force has referred the probe into court because the

allegations fell under Section 3 of the National Security Act.

Assisting a foreign intelligence service" is the act's section 3.

If someone acts in a manner that

intends that materially aid a foreign intelligence service in conducting UK-related operations

or in conduct that is likely to support the service, an offence has been committed. Under a Subject Access Request to Professor Laura Murphy, whose studies are suspected of being harmed, internal documents from Sheffield Hallam University were released. They reported that individuals identified as representatives of China's National Security Service, who had requested that Prof Murphy's study, which was in Sheffield, be shut down. The papers went further to state that

a decision taken by the university not to announce a final phase of the study on forced labour in China was reported to the National Security Service by the National Guard Service. Staff relations immediately improved, and the threat to employee wellbeing seems to have been removed. China does not appear to have an National Security Service, so it is not clear who the individuals were. Prof Murphy was told by the university that she could not continue her research on China a few months later. She has filed a lawsuit alleging that her academic rights were violated. The university then reversed its position. Sheffield Hallam University had apologized to Prof Murphy in a tweet sent earlier.

The university's decision not to continue with Professor Laura Murphy's study was based on our knowledge of a diverse array of circumstances at the time, including the inability to obtain the necessary professional indemnity insurance.

The insurance for social science workers had been suspended by the university's insurers as a Chinese company had brought a defamation lawsuit against Sheffield Hallam after it was identified in a study she wrote. That lawsuit is ongoing.

We've since approved Professor Murphy's latest study and are committed to promoting and disseminate this vital work,

a university spokesperson said. The decision was not motivated by business motives in China, but not for the avoidance of doubt.

Understandably, China is not a significant international student market for the University. "We've apologized to Professor Murphy and want to emphasize our dedication to her study and to ensuring and promoting free expression and academic rights within the framework.

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