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| Plymouth University boss resigns after sex harassment claim | Plymouth University boss resigns after sex harassment claim |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| A university boss accused of sexual harassment has resigned. | A university boss accused of sexual harassment has resigned. |
| William Taylor, chairman of Plymouth University, has announced he will leave his post with immediate effect. | William Taylor, chairman of Plymouth University, has announced he will leave his post with immediate effect. |
| Mr Taylor, a retired judge, is facing claims by a number of women which include discriminatory and inappropriate behaviour. He has "categorically" denied the allegations. | Mr Taylor, a retired judge, is facing claims by a number of women which include discriminatory and inappropriate behaviour. He has "categorically" denied the allegations. |
| Mr Taylor said he was standing down because "of the very public focus on allegations made against him". | Mr Taylor said he was standing down because "of the very public focus on allegations made against him". |
| 'Grotesque distortions' | |
| The allegations were submitted by vice chancellor Wendy Purcell in July. | The allegations were submitted by vice chancellor Wendy Purcell in July. |
| Prof Purcell is facing a separate investigation into her conduct. She was suspended from her £288,000-a-year post in June. | Prof Purcell is facing a separate investigation into her conduct. She was suspended from her £288,000-a-year post in June. |
| The university is yet to reveal the reason for the suspension. | The university is yet to reveal the reason for the suspension. |
| Mr Taylor said: "The allegations are either wholly untrue or are grotesque distortions of the facts. | Mr Taylor said: "The allegations are either wholly untrue or are grotesque distortions of the facts. |
| "Indeed, my family, friends and those who know me best do not recognise these matters and, like myself, question the motives of those who have made them." | "Indeed, my family, friends and those who know me best do not recognise these matters and, like myself, question the motives of those who have made them." |
| On 23 September, a BBC investigation revealed the first details of claims about Mr Taylor's conduct, including lewd jokes at formal occasions, unwanted kissing and unwanted hand-holding. | On 23 September, a BBC investigation revealed the first details of claims about Mr Taylor's conduct, including lewd jokes at formal occasions, unwanted kissing and unwanted hand-holding. |
| Mr Taylor said the allegations made against him were "potentially distracting from the current investigation by the board into the conduct of the Vice-Chancellor". | |
| A special committee was convened by the university following the suspension of Prof Purcell. | |
| She is expected to give evidence to the committee on Thursday. | |
| Mr Taylor said: "In my eight years with the university I really wanted the very best for it and that continues to this day. | |
| "But, I feel that the very public focus on me potentially distracts the special committee and the board from what is on-going; that I do not want. | |
| "I have come to the very reluctant decision that my continued presence on the board, whether or not as its chairman, may not serve the best interests of the university, as I have always strived to do." | |
| A senior barrister was appointed by the university in August to support the investigation into the allegations against Mr Taylor. | |
| Acting chairman, Steve Pearce, said: "Judge Taylor has worked tirelessly in support of the university for the past eight years and more recently as our chairman of governors. | |
| "His decision to stand down from the board comes at a time when he has been under considerable pressure arising from allegations which he strenuously denies. | |
| "The concerted media coverage and anonymous leaks at a time when two confidential investigations are taking place have meant that he has been unable to respond." | |
| Timeline of events | Timeline of events |
| Sources: HEFCE report and BBC News | Sources: HEFCE report and BBC News |
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