This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/northern_ireland/8181359.stm
The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Academic's gentlemen's club claim | Academic's gentlemen's club claim |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Queen's University is paying for its vice-chancellor's membership of an exclusive members-only London gentlemen's club, it has emerged. | Queen's University is paying for its vice-chancellor's membership of an exclusive members-only London gentlemen's club, it has emerged. |
| A Freedom of Information request by the Irish News revealed that Professor Peter Gregson claimed the £920 membership fee back on expenses. | |
| This is understood to entitle him to, among other things, regular dinners and wine tasting events at the Athenaeum. | This is understood to entitle him to, among other things, regular dinners and wine tasting events at the Athenaeum. |
| It also provides the academic with somewhere to stay while in London. | It also provides the academic with somewhere to stay while in London. |
| "Membership of the Athenaeum provides a London base for Queen's and access to low cost accommodation when available," said a university spokeswoman. | "Membership of the Athenaeum provides a London base for Queen's and access to low cost accommodation when available," said a university spokeswoman. |
| However, expenses claims for the academic year 2008/09 obtained by the Irish News show that Professor Gregson on at least two out of of five recent visits to the capital city stayed in a hotel. | However, expenses claims for the academic year 2008/09 obtained by the Irish News show that Professor Gregson on at least two out of of five recent visits to the capital city stayed in a hotel. |
| On 23 October, for example, he stayed at the five-star Mayfair Hotel, claiming back £294.55 for just one night. | On 23 October, for example, he stayed at the five-star Mayfair Hotel, claiming back £294.55 for just one night. |
| According to the Athenaeum's website, it was founded as a "meeting place for men who enjoy the life of the mind". | According to the Athenaeum's website, it was founded as a "meeting place for men who enjoy the life of the mind". |
| "Over the years the membership criteria have been widened and now extend to persons of attainment or promise in any field of an intellectual or artistic nature and of substantial value to the community." | "Over the years the membership criteria have been widened and now extend to persons of attainment or promise in any field of an intellectual or artistic nature and of substantial value to the community." |
| Women have been only eligible to become members since January 2002. | Women have been only eligible to become members since January 2002. |