An important but often overlooked fact is that while there's no universal freedom of speech in British Law (although the UK is a member of the European convention on human rights which has such a protection), universities specifically are required to act to protect freedom of speech of their members.
The University of Cambridge is legally obliged to stand behind this research under the 1986 Education Act which states:
(2) The duty imposed by subsection (1) above includes
(in particular) the duty to ensure, so far as is
reasonably practicable, that the use of any premises
of the establishment is not denied to any individual
or body of persons on any ground connected with—
(a)the beliefs or views of that individual or of any
member of that body; or
(b)the policy or objectives of that body.
The University of Cambridge is legally obliged to stand behind this research under the 1986 Education Act which states:
Full text: http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1986/61/section/43