UEA's seekers after Clarke

Almost a year has passed since Charles Clarke, the education secretary, questioned whether the state should support "medieval seekers after truth" who are "good to have as an adornment to our society" - and academics in his constituency are still awaiting an occasion to discuss his views. Shortly after making the comment, Mr Clarke apparently accepted an invitation from historians at the University of East Anglia, but no date has yet been agreed.

Rupert Read, a UEA philosopher who stood for the Green Party in last year's local elections in Norwich, said: "Could it be that the secretary of state is afraid to debate with academics even on his home turf?"