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| Plymouth University boss accused of sexual harassment | Plymouth University boss accused of sexual harassment |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Plymouth University's chairman of governors is to be investigated about claims of sexual harassment of female staff. | Plymouth University's chairman of governors is to be investigated about claims of sexual harassment of female staff. |
| A senior barrister has been appointed by the university to support their investigation into allegations involving a number of women against retired judge William Taylor. | A senior barrister has been appointed by the university to support their investigation into allegations involving a number of women against retired judge William Taylor. |
| University sources said the complaints also include discriminatory and inappropriate behaviour. | University sources said the complaints also include discriminatory and inappropriate behaviour. |
| Mr Taylor denies the allegations. | |
| He said: "I categorically deny these allegations which I consider to be defamatory. | |
| "I have personally insisted that, together with the university, these are robustly investigated by an independent expert. | |
| "It would clearly be inappropriate to comment further while that investigation is in train, except to say that these are deeply hurtful." | |
| The revelations come amid turmoil within the university boardroom, following a bitter feud between Mr Taylor and vice chancellor Wendy Purcell. | |
| Prof Purcell was suspended from her £288,000-a-year post in June. The university is yet to reveal the reason for the suspension. | |
| On Thursday, Barbara Bond MBE left her ambassadorial post as the university's pro-chancellor and later claimed she was forced out as a result of the ongoing dispute. | On Thursday, Barbara Bond MBE left her ambassadorial post as the university's pro-chancellor and later claimed she was forced out as a result of the ongoing dispute. |
| In an open letter the following day, Mrs Bond said she had longstanding concerns about "questionable governance practice" and criticised Mr Taylor's "manner when dealing with female members of staff and students". | In an open letter the following day, Mrs Bond said she had longstanding concerns about "questionable governance practice" and criticised Mr Taylor's "manner when dealing with female members of staff and students". |
| Her term of office as pro-chancellor came to an end last month, but she said she had been asked to stay on by Prof Purcell. | Her term of office as pro-chancellor came to an end last month, but she said she had been asked to stay on by Prof Purcell. |
| The university denied dismissing Mrs Bond, saying her term of office as pro-chancellor had ended. | The university denied dismissing Mrs Bond, saying her term of office as pro-chancellor had ended. |
| Mrs Bond said she raised concerns about governance with the regulator, the Higher Education Funding Council (Hefce), which then visited the university in June. | Mrs Bond said she raised concerns about governance with the regulator, the Higher Education Funding Council (Hefce), which then visited the university in June. |
| A report of the visit concluded there was not enough evidence to justify an investigation into the university's governing body, but did recommend an external review of governance. | |
| The university has agreed to a review in the next academic year. | The university has agreed to a review in the next academic year. |
| The report states allegations have been made against both Prof Purcell and Mr Taylor, and the breakdown in personal relations between the pair "appears to have exacerbated matters to the detriment of the university". | The report states allegations have been made against both Prof Purcell and Mr Taylor, and the breakdown in personal relations between the pair "appears to have exacerbated matters to the detriment of the university". |
| Plymouth University has 33,000 students and has become a key player in the economy of the South West, employing around 3,000 academic and administrative staff. | Plymouth University has 33,000 students and has become a key player in the economy of the South West, employing around 3,000 academic and administrative staff. |
| Gary Streeter, the MP for South West Devon, said: "This is beginning to hurt the university. | |
| "This must be sorted out as quickly as possible, in days rather than weeks, it's becoming a crisis". | |
| Timeline of events | Timeline of events |
| Sources: Preliminary report and BBC News | Sources: Preliminary report and BBC News |