Freeman ‘happy’ to return to science minister post under Johnson

George Freeman has said he is “happy” to continue as UK science minister in Boris Johnson’s caretaker administration, barely 24 hours after resigning.

Writing on Twitter, Mr Freeman said: “In light of PM’s announcement of his resignation, and the huge issues that need managing this summer I’ve said to No 10 [and the] Chief Whip…I’m happy to return to work [through] this summer.

“Our university, science, research [and] innovation sector needs ministerial leadership.”

Whether the offer would be accepted by No 10 was not immediately clear.

In light of PM’s announcement of his resignation, and the huge issues that need managing this summer I’ve said to No10 & Chief Whip @10DowningStreet I’m happy to return to work thru this summer.

Our University, Science Research + Innovation sector needs Ministerial leadership. https://t.co/k2oyu640q1

— George Freeman MP (@GeorgeFreemanMP) July 8, 2022

Mr Freeman’s offer came a day after his resignation had been among a final flurry of ministerial departures that forced Mr Johnson to confirm that he would step down once a new Conservative leader was elected.

In his resignation letter, Mr Freeman told the prime minister that “the culmination of your lack of transparency and candour with Parliament (and willingness to ask your ministers to mislead Parliament), your removal of key pillars of the ministerial code, your handling of your appointment of a deputy chief whip who it turns out you knew had a history of sexual abuse allegations, is too much”.

Later, Mr Freeman called on Mr Johnson to hand power over immediately to a caretaker prime minister, saying the country needed “ministers back at their desk”.

But following the new Cabinet’s agreement that Mr Johnson could stay in power until a successor is selected, Mr Freeman has decided that he would be prepared to return to work under a leader he had criticised so strongly only a day before.

The next few months could prove crucial for the UK’s science sector, with negotiations over the UK’s post-Brexit participation in the Horizon Europe research funding programme deadlocked, and the Treasury reportedly reluctant to commit funding to a domestic alternative.

Also expected in coming months are a review of sector architecture led by Sir Paul Nurse, an independent review of UK Research and Innovation under Sir David Grant, and a review of research bureaucracy led by University of Birmingham vice-chancellor Adam Tickell.

Speaking after Mr Freeman’s resignation, Susie Rabin, associate director of parliamentary and public affairs at the Royal Society of Biology, had urged the government “not to lose momentum at this critical time”.

“George Freeman has been a strong advocate for his portfolio, ensuring the value and impact of science was clear across departments – we hope he can contribute in future roles,” Ms Rabin said.

“We have seen seven changes in this key ministerial remit in the last seven years – stability in this post in essential, and a place should be offered at the Cabinet table to ensure science can deliver to maximum effect for the UK.”

Jackie Hunter, former chief executive of the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, said Mr Freeman was “a man of strong principles and integrity”.

“He understands the importance of science to the country, both from a societal and an economic point of view, and he is really passionate about the role of science and its potential to deliver,” she said.

chris.havergal@timeshighereducation.com