The Leader of the House of Commons has branded comments made about Jewish students by Bristol University’s Professor David Miller “deeply wicked and the kind of thing decent people simply do not say”.

Jacob Rees-Mogg made his observation after the Conservative MP Christian Wakeford called for a debate on what he said was “the need to improve university complaints procedures which are failing Jewish students.”

Mr Wakeford, the MP for Bury South, had listed some of the sociology lecturer’s previous comments  – including how he “brazenly states Jewish students are ‘an enemy that must be defeated’.”

Condemning Mr Miller’s statements as “deeply wicked”, Mr Rees-Mogg then said on Thursday: “We expect education providers to be at the forefront of tackling antisemitism and making sure higher education is a genuinely fulfilling and welcome experience for everyone.

“Providers should have robust policies and procedures in place to comply with the law and to swiftly investigate any antisemitism that is reported.”

Mr Rees-Mogg added that antisemitism is “one of the most evil creeds and thoughts” and that universities “must be part of ensuring antisemitism ceases to exist.”

Earlier Mr Wakeford had praised the Union of Jewish Students and Bristol JSoc for organising Wednesday’s virtual rally calling on the University of Bristol to take action against the professor.

Bristol issued a statement on Tuesday saying, “We remain committed to making our University an inclusive place for all students, while also upholding our commitment to freedom of speech and to the rights of all our students and staff to discuss difficult and sensitive topics.”