Less sure-footed was his handling of a government announcement in June that universities would be introducing a compulsory course on Islamic Civilization.

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The announcement comes just weeks after the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales raised the possibility of compulsory redundancies and course cutbacks because of a squeeze on budgets.

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"They can even go as far, of course, as compulsory purchasing properties where necessary, " he added.

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While compulsory schemes aimed at getting people back to work have hit the headlines recently, this course is voluntary.

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