This statement above needs a clarification, please – because IF we have a code of ethical behaviour and legal duties around our acquisitions – equalities and anti-corruption and competition legal duties – act as a fair trade university, uphold workers rights consortium and founder members of the electronicswatch, signed up to the Edinburgh Guarantee (for apprentices) – as well as adhering to a Suppliers’ Charter and aiming (e.g. for new procurement reform laws) for even more ‘community benefits’ from construction and other acquisition contracts. And IF we do adhere to our people strategy ‘equalities’ duties and obligations in creating / filling new posts – should we not be rightly able to be challenged on our social responsibility – on evidencing that we apply our stated policy in using endowments for academic support?

Or are you implying that we are obliged to do so and should not therefore be likely to be challenged?

Similarly how far does ‘academic freedom’ go if individuals choose to bypass legal / policy aims eg buy more exploitatively sourced products or irresponsibly source services without checking on probity etc.?

I hope this debate will continue and more colleagues join in this fundamental discussion on ‘freedoms’.