Organisers of an anti-Israel conference at Southampton University have reportedly taken legal action to reverse the university’s decision to scrap the conference.

A statement published on the university website late last night officially withdrew permission for the three-day conference to take place on the campus.

According to Times Higher Education, in response to the decision the organisers released a statement today saying they will “launch legal efforts at the High Court” filing “grounds for an urgent judicial review of the decision.”

Over 6000 people signed a petition calling on the university to reverse its decision and “uphold free speech”.

The conference questioning Israel’s right to exist under international law was heavily criticised by government ministers, local MPs, and Jewish and pro-Israel organsiations.