King’s College London (KCL) has been accused of “no platforming” its own lecturer, after his talk on free speech was deemed “high risk”.

Dr Adam Perkins, an academic who specialises in the neurobiology of personality, was due to speak to students on Friday afternoon about the scientific importance of free speech.

But the event, hosted by KCL’s Libertarian Society, was forcibly postponed by the university following a risk assessment.

The society said they see this as “no platforming”, adding: “When your university censors its own lecturer, you know things have got out of hand.

“The talk was meant to be about the scientific importance of free speech. It seems for King’s, there is no such concept of free speech.”

It comes amid growing concern about threats to free speech on university campuses, with students seeking to "no platform" individuals or groups whose views are deemed offensive. Earlier this month, protesters stormed a KCL event featuring a controversial anti-feminist YouTube star.

Police are investigating the incident, which saw masked activists reportedly assault security guards as they barged into the university building, smashed windows, hurled smoke bombs and set off a fire alarm.

The university said that following the outbreak of violence at this event, they decided that all “high risk” talks must be suspended until the end of term while they review their security procedures.