OFS

That has triggered not only the threat of a court showdown, after the university vowed to challenge the OfS's findings, but also put universities across the UK on alert over further free speech-related fines - and leaving some fearing a catch-22 situation.

Arif Ahmed, from the OfS, warned the University of Sussex fine could have been as high as £3.7m and there was "potential for higher fines in the future".

She told the BBC it's "really unclear" where the OfS is drawing the line on what is or isn't acceptable.

The OfS has said it should be possible to express any lawful view on campus - but the trans and non-binary equality policy at the heart of the Sussex row, which was in place until last year, illustrates the potential challenges ahead.

The OfS says this shouldn't include the content of courses or discussions in the lecture hall.