A major controversy has erupted at the University of Buckingham in the UK following the suspension of its Vice-Chancellor, James Tooley, amid allegations of an affair with a young woman from Hyderabad. The claims involve not only a personal relationship but also financial elements, sparking ethical concerns within the academic community.
The scandal surfaced when Tooley’s wife, Cynthia, handed over diaries written by the woman to the university. In the diaries, the woman alleged that she had a sexual relationship with the 65-year-old academic, which began after Tooley helped pay for her university tuition. Their connection reportedly began during a project in Hyderabad focused on providing affordable private education to underprivileged communities.
While the woman described Tooley as kind and respectful, these allegations prompted his suspension. Cynthia, a Nigerian-born entrepreneur and TV personality, accused her estranged husband of misconduct, which led to an emergency meeting at the university in October.
Tooley, who has served as Vice-Chancellor since 2020, has denied the claims, calling them “baseless and malicious.” He remains confident that the inquiry will clear his name. However, the university has launched an independent investigation to verify the allegations. As a result, university managers appointed interim co-heads to oversee operations while the inquiry is ongoing.
The diaries indicate the relationship began when the woman was 18, with Tooley being in his fifties. Cynthia raised these concerns after the couple separated earlier this year.
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