Heriot-Watt Professor sacked over sexual assault claims

An academic from an Edinburgh university has been dismissed amid a police investigation into claims that he carried out a number of sexual and physical assaults.

Heriot-Watt University

Kevin O’Gorman is being investigated by police over allegations that he carried out assaults in both Edinburgh and Glasgow going back to 2005.

Prof O’Gorman, who was a director with the school of management, specialising in business history, confirmed through a spokesman that he rejected the allegations.

Formal complaints from staff regarding Prof O’Gorman resulted in an internal probe and latterly his dismissal, with the results of the investigation being referred to Police Scotland.

Heriot-Watt University told the BBC: “We can confirm that following formal complaints made by staff, the university has carried out an internal investigation.

“This has resulted in a member of university staff being dismissed by the university.

“The matter has been referred to the police and the university is cooperating fully with the police investigation.”

A lawyer for Prof O’Gorman told the broadcaster: “He totally refutes the allegations, which he says are malicious, and he will be robustly defending himself at the appropriate time and place.”