Report due on GCU funds

The National Audit Office is preparing a report to parliament on alleged mismanagement at Glasgow Caledonian University in the wake of an investigation into its use of public funds.

John Sizer, chief executive of the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council, has presented his findings to SHEFC on accountability, propriety and value for money in GCU's use of funds.

Professor Sizer said this would be followed by an NAO report to Parliament as soon as possible. "They intend their report to deal with the findings of my investigation, and the actions I and the university are taking to reinforce proper conduct in the institution."

The university has already embarked on a range of reforms, including a review of employment procedures, new procedures for overseas travel and new policy on the use of university vehicles. Stan Mason, GCU's principal, was fired last autumn for gross misconduct after an internal inquiry found he had "abused his authority" by intervening in staffing decisions.

The current moves are based on two internal inquiries, by the university's lay governors, and its auditors, Deloitte and Touche, but GCU has not published their findings, on the basis that they form part of the SHEFC investigation.

Glasgow Caledonian's vice-principal, John Phillips, said the current reforms would "go a long way" to address many of the concerns raised in the course of SHEFC's audit. The university would implement any further actions required.