30/09/2026
REVEALED: BAE Systems advised at least 13 British universities on how to repress pro-Palestine protests on campus.
A new revelation by Liberty Investigates and Al Jazeera exposes the extent of the influence of BAE in the securitisation and disciplinary measures against students a number of UK universities.
Universities including the University of Manchester, the University of Nottingham, the University of Southampton, the University of Birmingham, the University of Strathclyde, and Cranfield University collectively receive £15 million a year from BAE Systems as “strategic partners”.
The weapons company advised universities on how to hide their partnerships with BAE, counteract narratives, and to increase security at student events.
- In October 2024, University of Sheffield students protested a BAE Systems’ online careers day by posting messages in the discussion forum highlighting how “BAE kills kids”. Sheffield consulted with BAE then disciplined four students.
They were made to pay a £75 fine or agree to a ban on their attendance at protests.
- In 2024, BAE told the University of Lancaster to provide “extra security with the ability to remove protestors”
In 2024, BAE met with Queen Mary University over security at events with protestors
- University of Nottingham and the University of Southampton told BAE that they monitor social media for signs of protest.
- In October 2023, University of Glasgow told BAE it had called Police Scotland over a planned protest over arms companies at a careers fair
- The University of Lancashire, Sheffield Hallam and Cardiff University all consulted with BAE over security measures
- 11 of the 13 universities named are part of a new UK Ministry of Defence alliance, committing them to expand military research and graduate recruitment to the arms industry for a portion of a £182 million
ARMS TRADE OFF CAMPUS!
