Strippers-for-votes probe rocks rector

The new rector of Mexico's Autonomous University of Sinaloa faces a Ministry of Education inquiry after a colleague accused him of courting student voters by paying for strippers and prostitutes.

Norma Consuelo Borrego Pérez, co-ordinator of the masters programme at the School of International Studies, said Héctor Melesio Cuen Ojeda, a researcher who won more than 60 per cent in last week's vote, and Aarón Quintero Perez, former head of the university workers' union, broke the rules on campaign finance and arranged bikini parties at a nightclub.

Ms Borrego Pérez said authorities had avoided taking action because Mr Melesio Cuen was the favoured candidate of outgoing dean Gómer Monárrez.

"The university authorities do not want to look into the matter because Cuen is Gómer's man. But we have handed a dossier to the Education Ministry."

Mr Melesio Cuen has said the allegations are untrue.