Tory MP who asked universities to name Brexit lecturers was planning to 'write a book', claims minister

'He was pursuing inquiries of his own which may in time, I think, lead to a book on these questions'

Chris Heaton-Harris has been accused of censorship (Rex)

A Conservative whip who sent a “McCarthyite” letter asking universities to list their Brexit lecturers was simply planning to write “a book”, a minister has claimed.

Joe Johnson, the universities minister, defended Chris Heaton-Harris after the letter provoked a storm of criticism – calling it an “academic inquiry”.

Mr Heaton-Harris has declined to explain his actions, after university chiefs accused him of "idiotic Leninism" and censorship worthy of the notorious Joe McCarthy.

But Mr Johnson said the whip had told him he had been pursuing a “very longstanding interest in European affairs and the history of European thought”.

“He was pursuing inquiries of his own which may in time, I think, lead to a book on these questions,” the universities minister claimed.

“So it was more of an academic inquiry, rather than an attempt to constrain the freedom that academics rightly have.”

After repeated questioning, on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, Mr Johnson conceded: “A letter that could have been misinterpreted should probably not have been sent in this way.”

But he argued it was “perfectly legitimate” for anybody to inquire into the details of teaching at universities, which are public bodies.

Mr Heaton-Harris “was acting in an individual capacity as an MP, rather than as a government minister”, Mr Johnson insisted.

However, the short letter made no mention of a book, simply asking for “the names of professors at your establishment” involved in Brexit teaching, plus “a copy of the syllabus and links to the online lectures.

Alistair Jarvis, the chief executive of Universities UK, which represents university leaders, has attacked the move as “an alarming attempt to censor or challenge academic freedom”.

Lord Patten of Barnes, chancellor of Oxford University, and a former Tory party chairman, branded it “absolutely disgraceful” and “offensive and idiotic Leninism”.

And David Green, the vice-chancellor of Worcester University, said: “It appears so innocent but is really so, so dangerous.

“Here is the first step to the thought police, the political censor and Newspeak, naturally justified as “the will of the British people”, a phrase to be found on Mr Heaton-Harris’s website."

Downing Street was keen to distance itself from the man in the post of vice-chamberlain of Her Majesty's household, the fourth most senior government whip.

Asked whether universities should comply with the request, the No 10 spokesman said it was “completely up to them”, stressing academic freedom.

But some Conservative MPs offered their support, accusing universities of over-reacting and even of trying to influence students with anti-Brexit messages.

Mr Johnson said it was a “gross exaggeration” to describe Mr Heaton-Harris’s request as “Leninism”. Asked whether the whip should apologise, he replied: “Chris can speak for himself.”