Adam Smith College faces fresh probe over bully claims

ONE of Scotland’s largest colleges is facing fresh investigations into its running amid claims of bullying, intimidation and the misuse of funds.

The Scottish Funding Council, which provides money to colleges on behalf of the Scottish Government, has ordered “further swift investigations” into the actions of senior staff at Adam Smith College in Kirkcaldy.

Publishing, the findings of the independent review into the treatment of staff at the college, the SFC said it was a “matter of some urgency” that allegations of bullying, intimidation and the misuse of funds were investigated further.

It said investigations should also consider specific allegations against individuals below senior level, as well as claims there were attempts to “coerce staff to manipulate or falsify timesheets on projects and the apparent use of college staff time and resources for personal purposes”. Publication of the SFC’s 26-point “action plan” follows the resignation of college’s principal, Dr Craig Thomson, whose decision to step down and retire with immediate effect was announced last week.

The SFC investigation was launched amid claims that college management buried a report into allegations of bullying against the principal’s wife, Linda Thomson.

An executive director at the college, Mrs Thomson is currently on leave while the institution carries out its own disciplinary investigation.

Earlier this year, a website entitled It’s Our College, Not Craig’s was set up, calling on unions to organise a vote of “no confidence” in the management of the institution.

Sources at the college alleged that Dr Thomson had presided over a culture that “rewards victimisation and bullying”, which had left staff ill and some reportedly contemplating suicide.

The SFC said it expected disciplinary measures to be taken if allegations of misconduct or financial irregularities were proved following future investigations.

The organisation’s chief executive, Mark Batho, said: “This review has been both comprehensive and authoritative and has achieved a great deal within a necessarily short period of time. Over 200 people have contributed to its findings and the recommendations address issues that need to be resolved as a matter of urgency.”

Mark Goldsmith, chairman of the board of governors at the Fife institution, said: “By matching each of the recommendations with a set of actions we are setting ourselves a clear and decisive path to being a better place to learn and work.

“The board and the senior management team are committed to moving forward and to rebuilding our college community.”