Universities urged to review trans equality policies after Sussex fine

England's higher education regulator is writing to institutions with transgender equality policies similar to those of the University of Sussex, which was handed a record £585,000 fine last month for failing to uphold freedom of speech.

- Sally Weale

The Office for Students (OfS) said it would not yet name the vice-chancellors being contacted, "but we will be writing to a handful of providers where we have identified that they have - on the face of it - similar policies in this area to Sussex".

Sussex's fine, 15 times larger than any previous penalty levied by the OfS, sent shock waves through the sector, prompting many universities to review their policies and contact lawyers for advice.

It followed a three-and-a-half-year investigation into the university's treatment of Kathleen Stock, who resigned after she became the target of protests over her views on gender identification and transgender rights.