US academic deported on arrival

Catherine Clinton intends to return in time for the new term

A leading US academic who arrived in Belfast to take up a new post at Queen's University has been refused entry to Northern Ireland.

Professor Catherine Clinton was deported because of a problem with her work permit. She was due to begin work in the American History department.

Within hours of arriving from New York, she was back on a plane home because of "an administrative problem".

She intends returning to the university soon in time for the new term.

In a statement, the university said it regretted what had happened.

Professor Clinton is formerly of Harvard University and the executive council of the Society of American Historians.

In June, the university embarked on a £28m recruitment programme across the world to attract 140 "high calibre" academics.

It has also forged a research and education partnership with Georgetown University in Washington DC, to be formalised in the US capital on Friday at a special ceremony hosted by the British ambassador.