A NATIONAL human rights watchdog is to come out battling on behalf of six Lancaster University students.

Liberty is to fight the case for students facing jail after holding a campus protest over weapons of mass destruction and the production of GM food.

It is backing the so-called 'George Fox Six' at Lancaster by arguing that their right to freedom of speech has been withheld.

It is claimed that the students went into a lecture theatre where Lancaster University had organised a business meeting featuring a host of internationally renowned companies. Lancaster University decided to press charges against the six for aggravated trespass.

But lawyers for Liberty - formerly known as the National Council for Civil Liberties - say it is clear the university is trying to gag the students.

George Haigh, from the support group, says: "By taking the six to court the university has put its own ethics on trial.

"By attempting to gag their criticism, it has only drawn attention to its connections to the producers of weapons of mass destruction and companies producing GM food and GM medicines."

Liberty says it has won support from academics at universities all over the world who have signed a petition asking Lancaster University to rethink.

Dr Stuart Parkinson, director of scientists for global responsibility, says: "Military and corporate involvement at universities is a very real ethical concern. Universities such as Lancaster need to find constructive ways to engage with these issues."

The National Union of Students is also urging the university to respect freedom of speech and to 'uphold the highest ethical standards' when choosing its business links.

The students' case is due to be heard at Lancaster magistrates court on September 26.

A spokesman for Lancaster University did not want to comment due to the proximity of the court case.