Ring leader

Proof positive that Scottish higher education is in dire financial straits. Paul Corrigan, new president of St Andrews University students' association, was to be in London for the Dearing launch, and asked for a mobile phone so he could keep in touch. This was vetoed by Ann Kettle, convener of the students' association and Dearing Scottish committee member, on the grounds that nobody at St Andrews had a mobile phone, not even principal Struther Arnott.