April 18, 2009

Sir Peter Scott and Kingston University Stung by Defamation Suit

Sadly, as a result of Kingston University's public press statements denying the authenticity of documentary evidence, which had been provided by Dr Howard Fredrics to the press and to HEFCE, Dr Fredrics found himself with no alternative than to issue defamation proceedings in the Surrey County Court against the University and it's Vice-Chancellor.

When a recent report by the British Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) upheld allegations of wrongdoing by Kingston staff members in connection with the pressurizing of an External Examiner, the veracity and authenticity of the evidence was clearly and irrefutably established. Yet, despite the publication of this compelling government-sponsored report, the University and Prof Scott failed to issue a public apology and retraction of its allegedly defamatory statements concerning Dr Fredrics' evidence.

Instead, both the University and Prof Scott have, thus far, maintained complete public silence, and have instead indicated (through their solicitors) that they intend to fully contest the Court action filed by Dr Fredrics.

Isn't it a shame that Prof Scott has chosen to reserve what must surely be a rather large sum of public money in order to defend this lawsuit instead of simply issuing a public apology to Dr Fredrics?

During a time of recession, when job cuts are being contemplated in the UK university sector, does it make you angry to know that YOUR taxes are being used to fund the defence of a lawsuit that would never have been filed, had the University and/or Prof Scott simply admitted that they were wrong to have denied the authenticity of Dr Fredrics' evidence?

Source: http://www.sirpeterscott.com

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

And isn't it a shame that public money is used in the same way by other universities who prefer to contest claims made by their staff in relation to Dignity at Work issues.

Why not obtain lists of the grievances (under the data protection act) that are submitted by staff like me - this will give you some idea of what is happening in prestigious research universities...

Publish them on this site...

Aphra Behn

Anonymous said...

Thank you for this blog... writes a target of alleged workplace bullying Aphra Behn

The editor of ConservativeHome.com Tim Montgomerie also writes in favour of blogs in the Guardian...'Goodbye to the old club....

'cosy relationships beween Westminster and the media will not survive the blogging era.. relations between the press and politicians are kept sweet with offers of exclusives in return for good behaviour... The blogosphere is less willing to play by the old club's rules...blogs are treated seriously because they tell the truth as they see it...if the economics of blogging has ended the monopoly of comment other monopolies are likely to end soon too.'

Let us hope that cosy relationships between UCU and university management also do not survive the blogging era....

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for this blog and for keeping it going...

...let's make the most of blogs before they are outlawed...

Aphra Behn

Anonymous said...

You might like to finish by reading Simon Hoggart in the Guardian yesterday (18/4/09)

No one likes them. Do they care?

An analysis of why those in government might once have been drawn to politics - a sense of idealism.. a desire to change the country for the better... Hoggart suggests that 'that was forgotten a long time ago...

Now they seem interested only in clinging on to power, keeping their bunch in so that their jobs and sense of self importance continue.'

Sounds familiar?

Aphra Behn

Anonymous said...

Speak the truth to power

You know it makes sense

Aphra Behn

Professor Chris Rhodes said...

There is a good novel just published called "University Shambles", which your readers might find apposite. http://universityshambles.com

Anonymous said...

Was one of the External Examiners at Kingston's School of Music' really pressured into changing her rather critical report on quality standards in the School?

Did the School Staff collude on ensuring that future Examiners would be more 'sympathetic' (less critical) to the School?

Did the University Press Office issue a misleading statement to the Surrey Comet?

What REALLY happened? And what does this mean for the quality of education on offer at Kingston?


Part 1 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TKSMUVJkSpQ

Part 2 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ozaayv0diV0

Part 3 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VnairkGycBM