The Vice Chancellor of the University of Buckingham, Professor James Tooley, has been suspended over allegations of a controversial overseas relationship.
Tooley, who has denied the allegations, was suspended from his £229,000-a-year role in October following accusations linked to a romantic involvement with a 25-year-old Indian woman, reports UK’s Daily Mail on Thursday
A Nigerian entrepreneur, Cynthia Tooley, named as a central figure in the suspension, allegedly raised the alarm by providing the young lady’s diaries, which had information on the alleged relationship, to university authorities.
She reportedly married the British academic in February 2022 after a whirlwind romance, but reportedly separated during the summer, leading to a breakdown in their relationship and communication via lawyers.
The controversy started on October 11, when Cynthia revealed to the university about the alleged relationship, thus prompting an emergency meeting, at the end of which the professor was suspended.
Afterwards, an independent inquiry is currently ongoing into the claims.
Apart from the allegations about the relationship, Cynthia said her estranged husband was possessing a “suspicious object” at his official residence.
Police had visited the property where they removed a junior air rifle.
The university authorities had described the situation as “serious allegations” made against the vice-chancellor and added that an independent inquiry was underway to verify the claims.
Tooley said the allegations were “baseless and malicious,” adding that he would be vindicated and refrained from further comments, citing the ongoing investigation.
The Indian woman at the centre of the allegations said Tooley “was kind and thoughtful and always treated me with respect. Anyone who reads my diaries can see I was in love with him.”
She clarified that the relationship began when she was 25 and insisted that there was no illegal conduct.
The university has named an interim leadership team, including Chief Financial Officer David Cole, Chief Administrative Officer Chris Payne, and Pro Vice-Chancellor Harriet Dunbar-Morris, to oversee operations during the investigation.
