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A top minister today launches an outspoken attack on the snowflake culture gripping universities.

Tory Jo Johnson, brother of Boris, insists campuses must be places that "open minds, not close them".

Students must be able to challenge controversial opinions, according to the Universities Minister, who warns of the dangers to shielding students from differing views under the banner of "no-platforming" or "safe spaces".

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Speaking at the Limmud Festival in Birmingham, a celebration of Jewish learning and culture, he will warn that free speech is a key plank of university life.

"Universities should be places that open minds, not close them, where ideas can be freely challenged," Mr Johnson will say.

"In universities in America and worryingly in the UK, we have seen examples of groups seeking to stifle those who do not agree with them.

"We must not allow this to happen.

“Young people should have the resilience and confidence to challenge controversial opinions and take part in open, frank and rigorous discussions.”

His comments come amid fierce debates about free speech at universities, and mounting concerns over speakers, literature and organisations being silenced or stripped from library shelves - often by student unions, societies or particular groups of students.

Mr Johnson will also say that institutions must ensure there is no place for hatred, discrimination, extremism or racism.

"A racist or anti-Semitic environment is by definition an illiberal one that is completely in opposition the liberal tradition of our universities," he will tell the festival.

Under government plans, universities that fail to protect free speech could face fines.

Universities UK chief executive Alistair Jarvis said: "Universities are absolutely committed to promoting and securing free speech and will not allow legitimate speech to be stifled.

“There is already a legal duty on the higher education sector to secure free speech within the law and universities take these responsibilities very seriously.

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"They have a duty, not only to secure freedom of speech, but also to protect the safety of students and staff.

“This is not always easy to balance, but universities are becoming increasingly experienced in this area and have policies in place.

"It is important that universities do not become discussion-free zones.

“They must continue to be places where difficult topics are discussed and where people, however controversial their views, should be allowed to speak within the law, and their views challenged openly."