Aberystwyth Students’ Union has voted not to co-operate with the Westminster Government’s Prevent counter-terrorism policy, which aims to identify those who may be considered vulnerable to potential radicalisation and involvement in terrorism.

The union’s Senedd made the decision claiming it would assist “inclusivity”, “save money and time” and give minority students “free speech”.

But a student, who has asked not to be named, questioned the decision and claimed that students would not get to question the decision until early December.

While the Prevent policy has proven controversial and received criticism, including boycotts from other students’ unions, the student said it had been successful in some areas.

The student said: “The students’ union on the Aberystwyth campus has decided, during a closed-door meeting, to no longer comply with the government policy of Prevent. They have done so regarding such an important policy without wider student involvement, agreement or support.

“Prevent has been proven to work on many occasions, however Aberystwyth Students’ Union has now decided on the grounds of inclusivity to abandon this approach, however, students cannot have a say on the matter until 3 December.

“Such an important matter is now going to be left for over a month, meaning an important policy regarding the wellbeing of not only students, but also locals, is left in the balance."

Bruce Wright, the Aberystwyth Students’ Union president and chair of the Board of Trustees, said: “On Monday, 22 October, Aberystwyth Students’ Union Senedd passed an idea for the union to boycott Prevent.

“Senedd is the representative body of Aberystwyth students which decides what the students’ union should believe or take action on. We fully appreciate that students have differing views on many things.

“Any student can submit ideas and attend and debate.

“Ideas submitted by students are up online a week before the debate and we remind people where to look and encourage them to attend using social media and our website."

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