Complaint by uni is under review by crime unit
A REGIONAL organised crime unit is considering a complaint from Swansea University.
Last November, the vice-chancellor of the university Professor Richard B Davies and dean of its School of Management Professor Marc Clement, as well as two other members of staff in Bjorn Rodde – who subsequently resigned – and Steven Poole, were suspended.
Professor Davies was suspended for alleged gross negligence and Professor Clement for alleged gross misconduct. Both vehemently deny any wrongdoing.
The suspensions followed an in-depth investigation by the university’s registrar Andrew Rhodes with the full backing of the university’s council.
Part of the investigation looked into the proposed £200 million Wellness Village in Llanelli, as well as a proposed joint venture project for a new private university and hospital in Kuwait.
In February, the South Wales and Dyfed-Powys forces confirmed they had received a complaint from the university.
Both forces have now confirmed that the matter is also being considered by the regional organised crime unit for southern Wales, in what they described as being a complex complaint.
In a statement both forces said: “Dyfed-Powys Police and South Wales Police can confirm that they have received a complaint which is currently subject of consideration by both forces, as well as Tarian, the Regional Organised Crime Unit for southern Wales. Due to the complex nature of the complaint the matter remains under review.”
A lengthy hearing into the suspensions has been completed by an independent employment law QC.
In May grievance claims lodged by Professor Davies and Professor Clement against their suspensions, were rejected. They had a right to appeal.
It will now be for a disciplinary panel to consider whether to dismiss the academics or not.
In a statement the university said: “Swansea University has been cooperating with the authorities since November 2018.
“The university made a formal criminal complaint regarding the conduct of a number of individuals, arising from evidence discovered during an internal investigation and a subsequent privileged investigation conducted by the university’s external legal advisers. In accordance with the university’s ordinances, four employees were suspended.
“The disciplinary process has not yet concluded, so it would be inappropriate for the university to make any further comment at this time.”