Conservative MPs have attacked the University of Bristol for being a “hotbed of antisemitism” and fostering a climate similar to “1930s Nazi Germany” over its failure to swiftly address accusations that a professor used offensive tropes. The university is investigating David Miller, professor of political sociology, after allegations that he criticised Israel for wanting to “impose its will over the world” and said some Jewish students were being used as “political pawns by a violent, racist foreign regime”. In an education select committee meeting on Tuesday, several MPs pressed the universities minister, Michelle Donelan, on why she had not spoken directly to the university or threatened sanctions such as a withdrawal of funding. “Why would you not intervene? Tell Bristol University and the vice-chancellor that enough is enough, we’re not living in 1930s Germany, and they should deal with this problem and make sure the university is not a hostile environment to Jewish students,” asked Robert Halfon, MP for Harlow and committee chair, citing reports from Jewish students that they feel “unsafe and unprotected” on campus. Donelan said that the government would speak to Bristol’s vice-chancellor once the internal investigation is finished but that she was unable to directly intervene since universities are independent. She added that she will work with the higher education regulator for England, the Office for Students, to work out how to apply further pressure to universities beyond encouraging them to sign up to the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism. The case at Bristol University, which is a signatory, underscored how the definition is “not a panacea”, she said. “It is deeply concerning that some Jewish students feel put off from applying to certain universities. That is not modern Britain,” Donelan said. One remedy the government is considering would require universities to publish details of antisemitic incidents to enable prospective students “to have a clearer picture of what those universities represent in terms of tolerance”, she added. Jonathan Gullis, MP for Stoke-on-Trent North, asked the government to impose tougher sanctions on universities which do not address accusations of antisemitism. He cited as a further example the investigation into Goldie Osuri at Warwick University, whose speculation on Israel’s role in spreading accusations of antisemitism against the Labour party was cleared on grounds she was exercising her right to free speech. “We need to start sacking people … until we start bringing that kind of scrutiny and action into our university sector, like you would do in primary or secondary school, these incidents will keep happening,” Gullis said. Unlike in schools, the government is unable to sack university leaders and staff since they are not employed by the state, Donelan said. A Bristol University statement published in March said the investigation into Prof David Miller was “confidential”. The statement added: “We recognise that this matter has caused deep concern for some members of our community, and also that people hold very different views on the issues raised.” An open letter to the university from the Support David Miller campaign has been signed by hundreds of public intellectuals and academics, including high profile names such as Noam Chomsky. The letter states: “Professor Miller is an eminent scholar. He is known internationally for exposing the role that powerful actors and well-resourced, co-ordinated networks play in manipulating and stage-managing public debates, including on racism.” Earlier this year a group of eminent lawyers, including two former appeal court judges, accused Gavin Williamson, the education secretary, of “improper interference” with universities’ autonomy and right to free expression, after his insistence that universities adopt the IHRA definition of antisemitism or face sanctions.