The Bill has come under attacks from representatives in academia who say the wording is too broad and may result in making standard university teaching and research a criminal offence.

Today Dr Carlo Morelli, president of the Dundee branch of the Association of University Teachers, echoed these concerns, saying there will inevitably be a wide-ranging effect on research in Dundee if the Bill is to go through.

Dr Morelli said, “The AUT has voiced real concern over the effect this legislation might have on genuine debate in universities. Universities should be places where all kinds of ideas can be voiced — even unpleasant ones. Academics should be allowed the freedom to discuss these issues without the fear of prosecution.

“There are a range of projects in Dundee which could be affected by this Bill.

Whole departments and individuals involved with the research into water resources in the Middle East, or those whose research covers killings and genocide could also come into conflict with the legislation.

“Although it is too early for Dundee AUT to develop policy on the subject at this time, I can say there is not an institution in the country that wouldn’t face problems with the Bill.”

Dr Timothy Chappell, of Dundee University’s philosophy department, added, “There has been absolutely no good justification for the extreme measures embodied in the Bill put before the public. We and our MPs have simply been invited to be very, very frightened of sinister-looking non-white types, and to sign up uncritically for whatever we’re told to on the basis of our fears. Such measures as 90-day detention are a fundamental breach of human rights, yet there isn’t even any reason to think that they will help in the prevention of terrorism.

“There are no effective guarantees these powers will not be arbitrarily abused, whether by the Government or by its functionaries.”