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26/08/2008
'Sailor' University Lecturer Wins Libel Payout
A Salford University lecturer has won £10,000 in compensation after being wrongly accused of fraud by his employers.
Dr Tom McMaster had claimed £180 in costs to use his boat to sail from Liverpool to Galway for a conference.
The lecturer, had obtained permission from his own research director to travel there by boat with some friends rather than use public transport.
However, his claim was not paid and when he queried it he was sent a response from the university which wrongly claimed he had exaggerated his expenses, accused him of fraud and concluded that he should be "ashamed" of himself.
Dr McMaster had threatened to sue for libel but the university has now settled out of court for £10,000.
The business management lecturer, began legal action after copies of the email, from the university's finance department, were also sent to four of his colleagues.
The university did not comment on how much was spent on legal fees defending the action, which began in 2006.
A spokeswoman for Salford University said: "The university has reached a settlement with Dr McMaster and we cannot comment on any outstanding grievance issues concerning him."
In March, Salford University applied to the High Court to have the matter struck out on the grounds that it was a "frivolous action".
Dr McMaster told the Telegraph: "I imagine this would have cost the university about £100,000, including legal fees. But I would have settled for a simple apology."
(DS)
Dr Tom McMaster had claimed £180 in costs to use his boat to sail from Liverpool to Galway for a conference.
The lecturer, had obtained permission from his own research director to travel there by boat with some friends rather than use public transport.
However, his claim was not paid and when he queried it he was sent a response from the university which wrongly claimed he had exaggerated his expenses, accused him of fraud and concluded that he should be "ashamed" of himself.
Dr McMaster had threatened to sue for libel but the university has now settled out of court for £10,000.
The business management lecturer, began legal action after copies of the email, from the university's finance department, were also sent to four of his colleagues.
The university did not comment on how much was spent on legal fees defending the action, which began in 2006.
A spokeswoman for Salford University said: "The university has reached a settlement with Dr McMaster and we cannot comment on any outstanding grievance issues concerning him."
In March, Salford University applied to the High Court to have the matter struck out on the grounds that it was a "frivolous action".
Dr McMaster told the Telegraph: "I imagine this would have cost the university about £100,000, including legal fees. But I would have settled for a simple apology."
(DS)
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