University of Southampton officials are discussing whether to cancel the anti-Israel conference to be held on its campus later this month.

A university spokesperson confirmed on Tuesday that talks over the fate of the conference were taking place.
The move follows the release of a statement from the event’s organisers claiming the university was planning to withdraw over health and safety issues.

In a statement it said: “The University of Southampton is in discussion with the organisers of the conference ‘International Law and the State of Israel’ about the possibility of withdrawing permission for the event to be held on campus. However, this review process is still ongoing. Any decision will be judged purely on considerations around the health and safety of our staff, students and for the general public.”

The spokesperson said a final decision was not expected until Wednesday at the earliest.

Board of Deputies president Vivian Wineman said: “When we had a meeting with the university vice-chancellor they said they would review it on health and safety terms.

“The two lines of attack possible were legal and health and safety and they were leaning on that one.”