Letter of 7 May 2009 from Mr Phil Willis
MP, Chairman of the Committee, to Professor J S Brooks, Vice-Chancellor
of Manchester Metropolitan University
In your letter of 3 April responding to mine
of 26 March about Professor Walter Cairns you stated that, if
the Committee considered that there was a "risk of being
in contempt of the House", you were "willing to reconvene
the [Academic] Board to reconsider this issue" and you sought
my view on the "appropriateness and efficacy of this course
of action". On my instruction the Second Clerk replied on
17 April. He explained that, if you and your advisers concluded
that a contempt might have taken place, even if inadvertently,
a possible reversal of the Board's decision would be an important
factor for the Committee to take into account. No reply has been
received.
The Committee discussed the matter on 6 May and have
asked me to write to establish whether the Academic Board has
or will re-consider the matter of Professor Cairns' expulsion.
If it does consider the matter, it would assist the Committee
to be informed of the outcome. I should be grateful if you would
clarify the position by 20 May.
The Committee will consider your reply when
it considers the matter further, which is expected to be at its
first meeting in June. I should add that any reply from the University
is without prejudice to the Committee's deliberations or decision,
which could include asking the House of Commons to refer the matter
to the Standards and Privileges Committee.
I should advise you that your reply may be published.
May 2009
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