The British government has told the London School of Economics that it does not want non–UK nationals to work on a Brexit-related project, BuzzFeed News has learned.
The LSE was asked by the Foreign Office (FCO) to prepare a series of policy briefs on Brexit. But on Friday it emerged that non–UK national staff were told by email the department did not want them working on the project.
BuzzFeed News understands the FCO is concerned that the work would include the sharing of sensitive trade information, and having non–UK nationals involved could pose a security risk.
The LSE confirmed to BuzzFeed News that the decision was taken following a message from the FCO.
A spokesperson said “the UK government regularly calls upon LSE’s world-class academics for their advice on a range of issues”.
The statement continued: “We believe our academics, including non–UK nationals, have hugely valuable expertise, which will be vital in this time of uncertainty around the UK’s relationship with Europe and the rest of the world.”
The spokesperson added: “Any changes to security measures are a matter for the UK government.”
By late Friday, the FCO had yet to issue a public response to the story, despite being asked by BuzzFeed News several hours earlier.
But Bruno Waterfield, the Brussels correspondent of The Times unearthed the message to staff from the LSE’s interim director, Professor Julia Black, in which she informed them of the government’s change in policy that would exclude non-UK nationals from certain projects. Black was previously the pro director of research in the LSE’s Department of Law.
LSE have confirmed to staff that FCO has changed its policy - much more in @thetimes times tomorrow
— Bruno Waterfield (@BrunoBrussels)
ID: 9754017
Former deputy prime minister Nick Clegg said: “It is utterly baffling the government is turning down expert, independent advice on Brexit simply because someone is from another country.”
Other experts were left confused by the FCO’s decision, given the UK’s shortage of trade negotiators.
Given the UK government has almost no trained trade negotiators, this "no foreigner" rule for Brexit projects is rather self-defeating.
— David Allen Green (@DavidAllenGreen)
ID: 9752583
BuzzFeed News understands that eight or nine LSE staff will be affected by the decision, with possibly even one dual national affected.
One of the EU nationals affected, Sara Hagemann, an assistant professor in the university’s European Institute, tweeted about the decision on Thursday.
UK govt previously sought work& advice from best experts. Just told I & many colleagues no longer qualify as not UKcitizens #Brexit @LSEnews
— Sara Hagemann (@sarahagemann)
ID: 9752268
