Leaked university report blocked

Decision on Professor Gerry McKenna delayed again

The University of Ulster has won an injunction preventing the Belfast Telegraph from publishing details of a leaked report on its vice chancellor.

The report was investigating concerns and complaints about the conduct and capability of Professor Gerry McKenna.

The university's lawyers argued that the report was still confidential.

Former ombudsman Sir Michael Buckley began the investigation into complaints about Professor McKenna's conduct and capability in January.

It is believed he felt there was enough concern for a disciplinary tribunal to investigate whether at least three complaints were true.

The university said on Thursday that as discussions with the vice chancellor were still ongoing, publication of "a draft report" would "impair the integrity" of these talks.

It has launched an internal enquiry into a "serious breach of confidentiality" following the leak.

Copies of the report were said in court to be "extremely limited".

The inquiry by the university's internal auditors will attempt to discover who was responsible for leaking it to the press.

Publication delayed

The report was commissioned by the university council, which decided on Wednesday to delay any decision for up to one month while talks continued.

The inquiry was looking into a number of allegations made by senior staff members under the whistle-blowing regulations.

Professor McKenna has been on sick leave since late last year and it is believed he is resisting attempts to agree an early retirement deal.