Redundancies plan 'broke rules'

The university said it was disappointed by the ruling

Keele University broke university rules when it announced redundancies in one of its departments, an independent arbiter has ruled.

The University and College Union (UCU) complained over plans announced in April to cut 38 jobs in the School of Economic and Management Studies.

It said a "redundancy committee" had taken the decision, bypassing the university's senate.

The university Visitor agreed the institution's charter had been broken.

The plans, which left 38 academic staff facing redundancy, led to a dispute at the college by lecturers and other academic staff, but no strike action was taken.

The university said it was disappointed by the decision and was taking legal advice.

UCU General Secretary Sally Hunt said: "This ruling sends a clear message to all institutions that they do not have the right to act above their own laws."