A Hull University lecturer, who was named as a Cold War spy, has been suspended from teaching duties for 18 months.

Dr Robin Pearson was exposed as an agent for the Stasi in the former East Germany last year by the BBC Two series, The Spying Game.

Before Christmas, it was announced that Dr Pearson, 44, originally from Belfast, would not face prosecution over the allegations.

His suspension on Monday from teaching duties at Hull's School of Economic Studies follows a three-month inquiry by university officials.

The university's Vice-Chancellor, Dr David Drewry, suspended Dr Pearson from teaching duties at the School of Economic Studies, until the end of the academic session 2000/2001.

The Edinburgh University graduate is still expected to continue with his research.

Dr Pearson has responded by calling the university's decision "unjustified".

'Relationship of trust'

The university said in a statement: "The investigation was confined to matters relating to Dr Pearson's conduct as a lecturer at Hull.

"These concerned events several years ago but affect the present relationship of trust between Dr Pearson, his students and colleagues.

"The investigation did not look at any issues relating to national security. These have been dealt with elsewhere. Neither could it take account of matters said to involve other institutions."

It added: "Dr Pearson will have no further teaching contact with the student cohort who became aware of the matters referred to in the programme after they started their courses at Hull."

The university said Dr Pearson's salary would be reduced by "an appropriate amount" so his department would be able to obtain substitute teaching support

Dr Pearson, whose research interests include "the economic and social history of Germany", is alleged to have spent 12 years passing information about students and colleagues to the Stasi.

'Prosecution would fail'

After the allegations, the government said Dr Pearson and four others accused of spying, including 87-year-old great-grandmother Melita Norwood and former policeman John Symonds, would not be brought to trial.

The Official Solicitor said no action would be taken because "sufficient is known about the cases to make it clear any prosecution would fail".

Dr Pearson has always refused to comment on the allegations, although he did apologise to his colleagues for the disruption they caused.

In a statement released through his solicitor on Monday he said: "The university has made a decision which was only communicated to me on Saturday morning and which I believe to be unjustified.

"However, in order to protect my family from further media attention I have no further comment to make."

University spokesman Jim Dumsday said that after the period of suspension, Dr Pearson, who has worked at Hull since 1988, would resume normal teaching and supervisory duties.

He added: "It's going to be a penalty to have money deducted from his salary for that length of time."