Investigation opened into Bolton university separate from ‘fraud and bribery’ probe

This comes after the Office for Students, OfS, announced that it opened an investigation into the University of Greater Manchester, formerly Bolton, this month.

The probe will look at whether the Deane Road based university had “adequate and effective management and governance arrangements” in place.

Bolton West MP Phil Brickell said he will be writing to the Office for Students and the Department of Education to highlight his concerns.

The university was previously known as the University of Bolton (Image: University of Greater Manchester)

He said: “Whilst I am reassured that the OfS has finally launched an investigation into governance at UoGM, I remain concerned at the lack of urgency they have shown. 

“More than anything, staff, students and the wider town need reassurance right now.”

The OfS says their investigation will look at whether the university’s governing documents have upheld the public interest governance principles in its regulatory framework. 

The investigation will also look at whether the university had “adequate and effective management and governance arrangements”.

These were to “operate in accordance with its governing documents”.

The documents were intended to ensure the university delivers in practice the public interest governance principles and complies with all of its conditions of registration with the OfS.

An OfS statement said: “The opening of the investigation means that the OfS has identified potential concerns that require further scrutiny.

“The decision to open an investigation does not mean that any form of non-compliance or wrongdoing has taken place.

“Greater Manchester Police has previously announced its own investigation following allegations of financial and other irregularities at the university.

“The OfS will co-operate with the police while conducting its own independent investigation.”

The separate police investigation into alleged “fraud and bribery” at the university was launched in May last year.

That same month the university announced that Vice Chancellor Professor George E Holmes, the Provost Zubair Hanslot and another senior member of staff had been suspended.

At the time, the University of Greater Manchester said the suspensions were a “precautionary measure and do not imply any assumption of guilt.

Dr Greg Walker, Pro Vice Chancellor (Academic) became acting vice chancellor and interim accountable officer while the investigation was underway.

In July this year officers announced they had searched a string of properties across Greater Manchester and the South of England, but no arrests were made at the time.

Speaking at the time, Assistant Chief Constable Rick Jackson, Greater Manchester’s lead for crime, intelligence and forensics, said: “These are the very initial stages of what is set to be a complex and lengthy investigation into serious allegations of fraud and bribery at the University of Greater Manchester.

“Officers have taken action to begin gathering available evidence at seven properties we believe are of relevance to our enquiries.

“I know there may be concerns from the thousands of people who study and work at the University of Greater Manchester.

“The university will continue to receive relevant updates, and we are working with them to encourage anyone with information to contact police.

“Extensive work will continue to ensure all relevant parties are spoken to as part of our investigation, so that all necessary action can be taken in relation to any suspected criminality.”

The force says it began investigating after receiving allegations from online outlet The Manchester Mill.

This was also after a report from Price Waterhouse Cooper commissioned by the university’s Fraud Response Panel.

In response to the OfS investigation, the university says its interim leadership team will work to ensure continuity for students and staff.

They say they will co-operate fully with the investigation.

A university spokesperson said: “The university remains committed to the highest standards of integrity and accountability and we will work closely with the OfS.

 “It is important to note, as it says in the OfS statement, that ‘the decision to open an investigation does not mean that any form of non-compliance or wrong-doing has taken place’.”

 The university says its internal procedures are ongoing and involve all relevant parties and as a result, they are not able to comment further until the matters are concluded.

Source – INDIA TV