If you are considering approaching a high profile speaker, please contact the events office as soon as possible. Please bear in mind security costs should be covered by the hosting department so this should be a consideration before inviting such speakers. Anyone involved in event planning should familiarise themselves with the LSE Code of Practice on Free Speech.
Visits to LSE by high-profile political figures can require a lot of preparation, to ensure appropriate arrangements for reception, security and so on – especially if the visitor is to make a public appearance. Also, the President and Vice Chancellor will wish to know about them, for example in cases in which they will try, as a courtesy, to be available to greet the visitor.
Staff or students planning to invite anyone in the following categories should inform the LSE Executive Office (executiveoffice@lse.ac.uk), at least 15 working days before the proposed visit:
- current or former Heads of State
- current or former Heads of Government (such as Prime Ministers)
- current UK government ministers (including the First Ministers of Scotland and Wales)
- any high-profile political figure whose presence on campus can be expected to arouse strong feelings and responses among the LSE community or the public.
This will enable the relevant staff in the Executive Office, LSE Security, Communications Division and the events “risk spotters” network to be informed.