Coventry councillor Philip Townshend: Complaints over degree plans

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-coventry-warwickshire-37637899

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Complaints have been made to a university planning to give its first posthumous degree to a councillor accused of fraud.

Philip Townshend allegedly took out a mortgage on an elderly woman's house without her knowing before his death in 2015, but police never interviewed him.

The University of Warwick said its award to him was based "on his career".

One critic said the award would bring the university's "good name into serious disrepute".

'Deeply saddened'

Emails to the institution criticising the award have been published after a BBC Freedom of Information request.

All were sent after our investigation revealed an allegation was made to police in May 2015, five months before he died.

The complainants' names were redacted but one said: "To continue with this exceptional honour, whilst such serious allegations are pending, would be wholly inappropriate in these circumstances and bring the good name of the university into serious disrepute."

Another added: "I'm sure that Private Eye could make a few suggestions of less dodgy characters to honour; in their Rotten Boroughs section they have been investigating the likes of PT for years."

A third said: "I am deeply saddened and somewhat appalled."

The university, which replied to all the complainants, refused to name who made the nomination.

It said Mr Townshend's "dedication to Coventry and the impact of his service" had drawn praise nationally including from ex-Prime Minister Gordon Brown and ex-Labour leader Ed Miliband.

The degree ceremony was due to take place in July but was postponed at the request of his daughter, who previously rejected the allegation.

In April, a coroner concluded Mr Townshend died of natural causes.

He also served as a school governor and chaired University Hospitals Coventry & Warwickshire NHS Trust for five years.