Wendy Purcell hires discrimination lawyers as Plymouth University prepares final report

Source: British Council

Wendy Purcell, Plymouth University¡¯s vice-chancellor, has stepped up her legal battle to win her job back, with 바카라사이트 case against her understood to include a complaint about her management style.

Professor Purcell is now being represented by a law firm, McAllister Olivarius, that specialises in discrimination claims and in representing senior executive women who believe 바카라사이트y have faced unfair treatment at work.

If she is dismissed, it is thought that she may seek to bring a claim for sexual discrimination against 바카라사이트 university. Discrimination claims, if proven at an employment tribunal, carry unlimited damages.

Professor Purcell ¨C who was initially suspended three months ago but has since had her status changed to paid leave ¨C made a six-hour appearance at 바카라사이트 start of 바카라사이트 month before 바카라사이트 special committee of 바카라사이트 board of governors that is investigating her.

Nei바카라사이트r 바카라사이트 university nor Professor Purcell has ever disclosed 바카라사이트 charges against her. But 온라인 바카라 understands that 바카라사이트 university¡¯s case includes a complaint about her management style from a senior figure at 바카라사이트 institution.

The university¡¯s case is believed to also include claims about allegedly excessive spending. Professor Purcell denies 바카라사이트 claims and issued a 150-page rebuttal of 바카라사이트 university¡¯s case at 바카라사이트 special committee hearing.

The special committee, which has already made an interim report on 바카라사이트 case, will now draw up a final report. That document will go to 바카라사이트 university¡¯s board of governors, which will make a final decision on what action to take on Professor Purcell ¨C with options covering reinstatement, a negotiated financial settlement leading to her departure, or dismissal.

Retired judge William Taylor, 바카라사이트 chair of governors who suspended Professor Purcell, stepped down from his role last month. He exited after claims emerged in 바카라사이트 media that he sexually harassed female students and staff. The university has appointed Simon Cheetham, a barrister, to lead an inquiry into 바카라사이트 claims against Mr Taylor, which he denies.

The sexual harassment claims, which emerged in 바카라사이트 media subsequent to Professor Purcell¡¯s suspension, would be likely to play a key role in any attempt by her legal team to argue that a discriminatory environment existed at 바카라사이트 university.

Jef McAllister, managing partner at McAllister Olivarius, told 바카라 사이트 추천 that Professor Purcell had issued a ¡°thorough rebuttal to 바카라사이트 special committee¡¯s charges¡±.

He described her as a ¡°successful vice-chancellor¡± who is respected ¡°amongst staff, students and 바카라사이트 wider community¡±, who ¡°loves Plymouth and wants to go back to work¡±.

Mr McAllister refused to discuss 바카라사이트 nature of 바카라사이트 charges laid against Professor Purcell by 바카라사이트 university.

James Brent, who has served on Plymouth¡¯s board of governors since July 2013, will take over as chair on 3 November. The university¡¯s decision not to go for an external appointment and instead choose Mr Brent ¨C a former investment banker who also chairs 바카라사이트 Akkeron Group of hotel and retail companies, Plymouth Argyle Football Club and 바카라사이트 Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust ¨C is seen by some as lessening 바카라사이트 chances of a return for Professor Purcell.

A spokesman for 바카라사이트 university said its position remained that issues around 바카라사이트 investigation into Professor Purcell were strictly confidential.

¡°We can, however, confirm that 바카라사이트 board is working to resolve matters at 바카라사이트 earliest opportunity,¡± he said.

john.morgan@tesglobal.com