Universities have spent nearly £1m on LGBT training by campaign groups over the past five years

Diversity training provided to universities by the pressure group Stonewall is a threat to academic freedom in which “tendentious and anti-scientific claims are presented . . . as objective fact”, according to a letter to The Sunday Times signed by more than 30 academics.

The academics say that unless Stonewall clarifies that it “fully supports academic freedom of thought”, universities should “sever their links with this organisation altogether”.

The letter, which has been signed by several Oxford professors, comes as it can be revealed that universities have spent nearly £1m on lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) training by campaign groups over the past five years.

This includes guidance for academics and students on using gender-neutral pronouns such as “zie” or “ey” and providing accessories