A HUMAN RIGHTS group was refused legal permission yesterday to challenge “discriminatory” government guidance on discussion of Palestine in schools, a decision described as a “blow to free speech.” 

The High Court rejected advocacy group Cage’s application for a judicial review, which sought to challenge the legality of a letter sent to school leaders by former education secretary Gavin Williamson in May last year. 

The letter warned headteachers to ensure “political impartiality” in schools amid protests at some institutions against Israel’s bombardment of Gaza that month, which Mr Williamson claimed had led to an “increase in anti-semitic incidents.”