Dons back University of Buckingham vice-chancellor ‘ousted for anti-woke views’

Senior academics have accused the University of Buckingham of attempting to oust its vice-chancellor over his “Right-wing” views.

In a legal letter sent to the university seen by The Telegraph, a group of senior academic staff and senate members warned that Prof James Tooley’s suspension was fuelled by a “history of animosity between the chair of council and the vice-chancellor”.

Prof Tooley was suspended from his £229,000-a-year post by Mark Qualter, chair of the university council, with immediate effect on Oct 11 following a number of “serious allegations” made by the vice-chancellor’s estranged wife.

The decision was announced in an email sent out to almost 4,000 staff and students, with Prof Tooley evicted that same day from Ondaatje Hall, his grace-and-favour house on the university grounds.

It has since emerged that the “serious allegations” made by Prof Tooley’s wife Cynthia related to his possession of a junior air rifle, which does not require a firearms licence, and details of a previous relationship with a woman in India.

‘Vexatious allegations’

Allies of Prof Tooley told The Telegraph the “vexatious” allegations flagged by his estranged wife were seized upon by university management, who have been keen to eject him for some time.

The professor is a staunch free speech advocate who has spoken out publicly against the “cancel culture” he claimed had taken root across British campuses. He succeeded Sir Anthony Seldon as Buckingham’s vice-chancellor in 2020.

One academic claimed that the university had pounced on the allegations against Prof Tooley “as a means of damaging him and forcing through because they don’t like him. They think he’s too libertarian, too Thatcherite, too Right-wing”.

In the letter to the university council sent by law firm Hausfeld on Tuesday, an anonymous group of senior academics alleged Mr Qualter had “not followed” due process in suspending Prof Tooley, as they called for the decision to be “immediately lifted”.

The dons also urged Mr Qualter to recuse himself from an investigation into the allegations being handled by the university’s nomination and governance committee, where he is also chair.

The letter said of the senior academics: “They are concerned that there is a history of animosity between the chair of council and the vice-chancellor, which makes it even more important that the university’s governance regime is correctly applied and that the suspension and Investigation are carried out in a fair and impartial manner.”

The Buckingham academics also raised concerns that Mr Qualter chose to suspend Prof Tooley without consulting the wider university council on the matter.

Although the letter did not make a specific threat of legal action, it said the university’s 22 council members “may wish to obtain their own independent legal advice in respect of these matters”.

Buckingham University has appointed Joseph O’Brien KC to lead an independent investigation into the allegations against Prof Tooley.

The Telegraph understands that a university council meeting was held on Wednesday, in which a small number of members raised concerns about Prof Tooley’s treatment.

Some of the allegations relate to an intimate relationship the vice-chancellor had several years ago with a woman in her twenties in India, the Times reported.

The academic’s estranged wife is reported to have raised complaints to Buckingham University about a former relationship Prof Tooley, now 65, had while working in Hyderabad in his fifties.

‘Creep of bureaucracy by managerialists’

Sources told The Telegraph the allegations were jumped upon by university staff critical of Prof Tooley’s leadership. They warned over a creep of bureaucracy within the university in recent years by “managerialists” keen to close the door on its reputation as a free speech institution.

One academic said: “The paradox here is that this so-called free market university appears to be populated at its high levels with people who don’t believe anything of the sort. And they particularly don’t seem to believe in freedom of expression and freedom of speech.”

A Buckingham University spokesman said: “As previously stated, the university was informed of a number of serious allegations against our vice-chancellor.

“To protect all parties involved, including the vice-chancellor himself, he was suspended following due process and legal advice to allow for an independent investigation. This investigation is being conducted by an independent leading KC and will be completed as soon as possible.

“Although the process has been complicated by the number of allegations made, the university is absolutely certain about the integrity of the process followed and this has been verified by external legal counsel.

“The university is also subject to the oversight of multiple regulators, who are updated regularly on this matter and are satisfied with and supportive of the steps taken.”