The THES 's league table of vice-chancellors' salaries has been embroiled in a row over Sir George Bain's pay. A Belfast newspaper reported allegations by the Fire Brigades Union that Sir George, vice-chancellor of Queen's University, Belfast, who recommended an 11 per cent pay increase for firefighters, has himself had a 50 per cent pay hike. According to our tables, Sir George has not only never received such a rise, he took a substantial salary cut to join Queen's.