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Education Secretary Mike Russell accused of 'bullying' over college row Stow College chairman resigns after 'personal attack' by minister
(about 4 hours later)
Education Secretary Mike Russell has been accused of "bullying" in a row over a secretly recorded conversation. The chairman of Stow College in Glasgow has resigned after a row over a secretly recorded conversation.
Mr Russell asked Stow College chairman Kirk Ramsay to consider his position after a private discussion on college reforms was recorded. Kirk Ramsay said he was stepping down following an "unwarranted personal attack" by Education Secretary Mike Russell.
During question time at Holyrood, Labour's education spokesman, Hugh Henry, called on the minister to apologise - an invitation he declined. At the weekend, the SNP minister called for Mr Ramsay to consider his position after a private discussion between them on college reforms was recorded.
Mr Russell has insisted he was right to call for Mr Ramsay to stand down. Mr Ramsay has called for a parliamentary inquiry into the matter.
In a statement he said: "My resignation follows an unwarranted personal attack on me by Michael Russell MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning.
"My passion and commitment for Stow College, and the college education sector as a whole, is too great for me to allow any perceived error on my part to be allowed to inflict damage on the college, its students or staff, executives and Board.
"I remain firm in my belief that I have done nothing wrong and intend to clear my name. I especially look forward to meeting with the parliament's education committee should they decide to launch a formal enquiry, which I sincerely hope they do.
The Stow College chairman is said to have distributed a recording of discussions over controversial college sector reforms.The Stow College chairman is said to have distributed a recording of discussions over controversial college sector reforms.
Last week the education secretary issued a letter to others who were in attendance at the meeting expressing his concerns and informing them that their comments were recorded. Last week, Mr Russell issued a letter to others who were in attendance at the meeting expressing his concerns and informing them that their comments were recorded.
He said he no longer had confidence in Mr Ramsay.He said he no longer had confidence in Mr Ramsay.
Speaking in the Scottish Parliament, Mr Henry said: "I've been contacted by FE (further education) staff who believe that the cabinet secretary is behaving inappropriately and that he is attempting to bully and intimidate. Earlier on Tuesday, during question time at Holyrood, Scottish Labour's education spokesman, Hugh Henry, accused Mr Russell of "bullying" and called on him to apologise to Mr Ramsay.
"Many staff in education and further education have contacted me to say that they are frightened to speak out about the way that the cabinet secretary is treating them. The education secretary insisted he was right to call for the college chairman to stand down.
Mr Henry said: "Many staff in education and further education have contacted me to say that they are frightened to speak out about the way that the cabinet secretary is treating them.
"Surely the way that he has behaved to Mr Ramsay reinforces their fears.""Surely the way that he has behaved to Mr Ramsay reinforces their fears."
Relationship breakdown 'Relationship breakdown'
But Mr Russell responded: "The issue is that in a meeting of chairs and principals a recording was made with a surreptitious device. Mr Russell responded: "The issue is that in a meeting of chairs and principals a recording was made with a surreptitious device.
"Alas, nobody was told it was being recorded and no permission was sought from anybody who was present."Alas, nobody was told it was being recorded and no permission was sought from anybody who was present.
"I think that has led to a breakdown of the relationship that should exist between the individual concerned and, not just myself, but many of their colleagues.""I think that has led to a breakdown of the relationship that should exist between the individual concerned and, not just myself, but many of their colleagues."
He added: "The Scottish government believes that the college sector, like any other, needs to be led and governed by people of the highest quality and standards.He added: "The Scottish government believes that the college sector, like any other, needs to be led and governed by people of the highest quality and standards.
"Chief amongst their attributes must always be mutual trust and respect. "Chief amongst their attributes must always be mutual trust and respect."
"The Scottish government expects all those who lead and govern our colleges to conduct themselves in a way that was consistent with that approach." The board of management at Stow College said it had received Mr Ramsay's resignation "with great sadness".
Keith McKellar, acting chairman, added: "We accept that, in the circumstances, it is the honourable thing to do.
"It is typical of Kirk to put the college, its students and staff first and, by resigning, at this time he has, once again, shown his commitment to Stow College."