Letter: No right to appeal

Strictly speaking, Pauline Foley never had a right of appeal to the vice-chancellor of Middlesex University (Whistleblowers, THES , March 16). The authority to make the final determination had been delegated to his deputy, who had already found that I had at no time bullied her.

Over a year later, Foley's adviser requested that the vice-chancellor re-hear her complaint against me. As a matter of courtesy, I agreed to attend this meeting. The vice-chancellor concluded that his deputy had been correct and Foley had presented no new evidence.

I regret the out-of-court settlement (about which I was not consulted) that related to Foley's grievance against another member of staff. I would have welcomed the opportunity to defend my conduct under oath.

Geoffrey Alderman
New York, United States