Oxford University's decision to support the right of one of its professors to express controversial views on immigration was praised by the Government yesterday.

Higher Education Minister Bill Rammell, speaking in a House of Commons debate on academic freedom, said the university was right to defend Prof David Coleman against a campaign to get him sacked.

Prof Coleman, above, was the subject of a petition drawn up by Oxford Student Action for Refugees, partly because of his advisory role to Migrationwatch UK, a pressure group which highlights negative aspects of immigration.

The petition called on university bosses to "consider the suitability of Coleman's continued tenure as a professor of the university".

Mr Rammell told MPs: "The University has backed the academic in question and from the evidence I have seen that is in accordance with institution's governance arrangements. In those circumstances that's absolutely the right thing to do."

The debate, in Westminster Hall, was secured by Oxford West MP Evan Harris, who said the campaign against Prof Coleman was "ill-founded".

Dr Harris, a Liberal Democrat, said while he disagreed with some of Migrationwatch's claims he supported its right to express them.

He said: "It's unacceptable to hound Prof Coleman out of academic life through boycott or through this sort of criticism and petitioning."

Oxford University said no petition had been received on the subject and no action was planned.