UK varsity Vice-Chancellor suspended after Nigerian wife blew whistle

The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Buckingham, London, Prof. James Tooley, has been suspended following allegations of an inappropriate relationship with a young woman from Hyderabad, India.

The woman, now in her 20s, alleged she had a consensual sexual relationship with the 65-year-old academic. She claimed that Prof. Tooley, who denies the accusations, financially supported her university education before their relationship began.

The allegations emerged after Prof. Tooley’s wife, Cynthia, reportedly provided the university with copies of diaries written by the young woman. Cynthia, originally from Nigeria and the mother of two bi-racial children, claimed the diaries revealed details of the affair.

In a statement to The Times, the woman described Prof. Tooley as “kind and thoughtful,” asserting that their relationship was not exploitative despite public perceptions of power imbalance.

Prof. Tooley has labeled the allegations as “baseless and malicious,” maintaining his innocence and expressing confidence in eventual vindication.

Prof. Tooley has served as Vice-Chancellor of the private university since 2020, succeeding historian Sir Anthony Seldon. The university has not issued further statements regarding the suspension, which was communicated to students in October.

Investigations into the matter are ongoing.