Effect from probe

that it has “wider and more serious consequences for the university”.

He wrote: “In the future, other staff may use the defence that they ‘forgot’ when challenged in investigations and it will be difficult then to sanction them at the end of a disciplinary procedure, having failed to sanction members of the executive.

“I believe the board has misjudged the seriousness of the situation and the impact their failure to take more decisive action, indeed any substantive action, will have on the morale of the staff. One rule for them, one for the executive.

“This outcome will undoubtedly drive a wedge between the staff and members of the executive. Our stock is already extremely low.”

And the professor raised separate concerns about the running of the university, alleging that the principal had created a “fantasy” that the higher education sector was “under threat from politicians and from others”, and that it was “frankly unsettling for our staff ”.

The letter added: “The principal and executive of any university mustn’t be beyond reproach. In this case, your actions and those of Gordon have fallen some way below the standards I would expect from those running a leading university supported by public funds.”

Prof von Prondzynski did not respond to a request for comment last night.

“In future, other staff may use the defence that they ‘forgot’”

Prof McConnell is co-director of Knockdrin Estates Ltd