Suspended whistleblower Watts blamed for reportWhistleblowers

The forthcoming disciplinary hearing for whistleblower John Watts appears to have been pre-judged by senior managers at Anglia Polytechnic University.

Suspended on full pay for eight months - facing charges that he has helped to bring the university into disrepute by persisting with internal allegations of nepotism and bullying - Mr Watts has now received a memo from pro vice-chancellor Steve Marshall. Mr Marshall, who is in charge of personnel, is furious about a recent THES article, and accuses Mr Watts of being its source. In fact the story could have come from any number of sources. But Mr Marshall says that now Mr Watts must resign. Mr Watts has declined the call for his resignation. Mr Marshall has declined to comment.