- Professor Michael Arthur said UK’s universities would not rank high post-Brexit
- Brexit committee members asked for evidence – and he admitted he had none
- University College London’s vice chancellor ‘plucked the number out of the air’
A leading academic yesterday admitted his claim that Brexit would damage the university sector was ‘plucked out of the air’.
In an extraordinary performance in front of the Commons Brexit committee, Professor Michael Arthur said leaving the EU could result in the UK’s universities plunging from second place in the international research rankings to 20th. But, when challenged on his claim, he admitted he had no evidence to back it up.
The professor, vice-chancellor of University College London, speaks on Brexit issues for the prestigious Russell Group of universities.
Professor Michael Arthur was forced to admit he ‘plucked the number out of the air’ when he said British universities would go from second place in international rankings to 20th
He claimed loosening ties with EU institutions could devastate research standards. Asked about the potential impact of introducing a visa scheme for EU academics, he said: ‘In 20 years’ time, instead of being second in the world to the United States of America, I’m worried that we will be 20th or so… and part [of the reason] will be this insidious onset of inability to recruit the world’s greatest talent.’ Tory MP Richard Graham accused him of ‘hyperbole’ and challenged him to justify the claim.
Professor Arthur, who was paid more than £370,000 last year, responded: ‘I will confess I plucked the number 20th out of the air. I don’t know, but I do fear we could slip down those international league tables.
‘The honest answer is none of us know what the impact will be.’
Committee member Jacob Rees-Mogg said Professor Arthur’s claims were another example of the Establishment trying to revive Project Fear based on unsubstantiated claims.
Jacob Rees-Mogg was among the MPs who challenged the claims by professor Michael Arthur when he said universities in Britain would fall down international rankings after Brexit
‘It is surprising that a highly esteemed professor just makes things up when appearing in front of a House of Commons select committee,’ he said. ‘It shows the lack of intellectual rigour of Project Fear and a disdain for democratic accountability.’ Fellow Tory MP John Whittingdale urged the professor to focus on exploiting the benefits of Brexit rather than trying to talk it down.
Pointing out that students from around the world are attracted by the excellence of British universities, he added: ‘Shouldn’t your sector look at this as an opportunity to obtain additional revenue?’
Professor Arthur also admitted that despite claims EU students will stop applying to come to Britain because of the uncertainty of Brexit there had been a 15 per cent increase at his own university this year.
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