Concerns about Plymouth University chairman predate current crisis

Source: Alamy

Senior figures at Plymouth University were told as early as 2012 of claims that its chair of governors had shown ¡°unacceptable behaviour¡± towards members of staff, 온라인 바카라 has learned.

William Taylor, 바카라사이트 retired judge who chairs Plymouth¡¯s board of governors, announced last week that he had initiated an independent investigation into claims that he had sexually harassed female staff, which he denies.

He has stood aside pending 바카라사이트 investigation¡¯s findings.

The crisis at Plymouth has been deepening since 1 July, when it emerged that Wendy Purcell, 바카라사이트 university¡¯s vice-chancellor, had been ¡°placed on leave¡± by Mr Taylor and 바카라사이트 board of governors. It has now emerged that Professor Purcell was initially suspended but her status has since changed and she is currently on paid leave.

Mr Taylor said in his statement last week that at a ¡°late stage in 바카라사이트 review of matters involving 바카라사이트 vice-chancellor, she submitted allegations against me to my fellow governors¡±.

바카라 사이트 추천 understands that at least one member of 바카라사이트 board of governors was made aware of allegations against Mr Taylor of ¡°unacceptable behaviour¡± towards members of staff in December 2012.

The allegations were not raised by Professor Purcell.

Mr Taylor had been appointed chair of governors in October 2012.

However, in a statement, Plymouth¡¯s acting chair of governors, Steve Pearce, says that concerns raised in 2012 related to ¡°wider working practices¡±.

¡°No member of 바카라사이트 board had any knowledge of [sexual harassment] allegations before receiving 바카라사이트 vice-chancellor¡¯s correspondence [last month],¡± he says.

On 바카라사이트 change in Professor Purcell¡¯s status, a spokesman for 바카라사이트 university said: ¡°Initially 바카라사이트 vice-chancellor was formally suspended, but in accordance with its duty of care, 바카라사이트 university did not make public reference to her suspension.

¡°Subsequently, 바카라사이트 vice-chancellor agreed to take paid leave on 바카라사이트 same terms and conditions as 바카라사이트 initial suspension. This included 바카라사이트 continued withdrawal of her duties and responsibilities as chief accountable officer.¡±

The spokesman refused to disclose 바카라사이트 nature of 바카라사이트 allegations against Professor Purcell.

He said: ¡°We can confirm that 바카라사이트 vice-chancellor is aware of 바카라사이트 detail of 바카라사이트 specific complaints made about her conduct and has been invited to respond accordingly.

¡°As this is a confidential matter, 바카라사이트 university is not in a position to disclose any details of 바카라사이트 complaints and nor would it be appropriate to do so.¡±

The Higher Education Funding Council for England has recommended that Plymouth undertake an external, independent review of governance in light of recent events.

But Plymouth has said that it will do so only ¡°once current internal matters are satisfactorily resolved¡±.

Hefce is understood to have received several letters from figures connected with Plymouth urging it to press 바카라사이트 university to begin 바카라사이트 review immediately.

john.morgan@tesglobal.com