University of Buckingham VC suspended over alleged illicit affair with Indian woman

The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Buckingham, Prof. James Tooley, has been suspended for alleged misconduct.

Tooley was suspended after his estranged wife, Cynthia Tooley, brought his alleged affair with a 25-year-old Indian woman to the attention of university authorities.

According to reports, Cynthia submitted the young woman’s diaries to the university, detailing the alleged relationship.

This prompted an emergency meeting where the VC was suspended to allow an independent inquiry into the claims.

Tooley, who denied the allegations, was suspended from his £229,000-a-year role in October.

The allegations against Tooley are not limited to romantic involvement.

Cynthia also accused her estranged husband of possessing a “suspicious object” at his official residence, Ondaatje Hall.

Police officials were called to the property and removed a junior air rifle, but no further investigation followed.

Tooley has described the allegations as “baseless and malicious.”

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He expressed confidence that he would be vindicated at the end of the investigation.

“I am unable to comment further at this time, but I look forward to being vindicated in due course,” the suspended VC declared.

The Indian woman at the centre of the allegations has defended Tooley, saying, “He was kind and thoughtful and always treated me with respect.

“Anyone who reads my diaries can see I was in love with him,” She clarified that the relationship began when she was 25 and insisted that there was no illegal conduct.

The University of Buckingham has appointed an interim leadership team to oversee operations during the investigation.

The team includes Chief Financial Officer David Cole, Chief Administrative Officer Chris Payne, and Pro Vice-Chancellor Harriet Dunbar-Morris.

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