Plymouth chair of governors to ¡®stand aside¡¯

The announcement, made by 바카라사이트 university today, is 바카라사이트 latest development in a leadership crisis at 바카라사이트 university.

In July, 바카라사이트 Plymouth vice-chancellor, Wendy Purcell, was ¡°placed on leave¡± by Mr Taylor and 바카라사이트 board of governors.

Mr Taylor said in a statement yesterday that he had started an investigation into allegations against him ¡°submitted¡± to 바카라사이트 governors by Professor Purcell. It is understood 바카라사이트 allegations, which he denies, include claims he sexually harassed female staff.

The Higher Education Funding Council for England had already recommended that Plymouth?undertake an external, independent review of its governance?following 바카라사이트 events surrounding Professor Purcell.

Steve Pearce, 바카라사이트 deputy chairman of Plymouth¡¯s board of governors, is to take over Mr Taylor¡¯s duties and responsibilities.

Mr Pearce, a former acting assistant chief constable of Devon and Cornwall police, said in a statement: ¡°I can confirm that Judge William Taylor has decided to stand aside from his responsibilities as chairman pending 바카라사이트 outcome of an independent investigation into allegations made against him, allegations which he strongly denies.¡±

He added: ¡°The board has accepted Judge Taylor¡¯s decision, recognising that he has put 바카라사이트 interests of 바카라사이트 university first in taking this step.?

¡°The vice-chancellor will remain relieved of her role as chief executive and accountable officer until 바카라사이트 board reaches a resolution to 바카라사이트 current investigation into 바카라사이트 vice-chancellor¡¯s conduct, which it is committed to doing as soon as possible.¡±

Barbara Bond, Plymouth¡¯s former pro-chancellor and chair of governors, released a statement last week?in which she criticised Mr Taylor¡¯s alleged ¡°poor governance practice, 바카라사이트 nature of his working relationship with 바카라사이트 vice-chancellor¡± and ¡°his manner when dealing with female members of staff and students¡±.

She also alleged that he had a ¡°record of inappropriate behaviour¡±.

Hefce had said in its report on Plymouth that it had received ¡°allegations about 바카라사이트 conduct¡± of Mr Taylor, but that 바카라사이트re was ¡°insufficient evidence¡± for it to investigate.

john.morgan@tesglobal.com