Russell was ‘meddling’ in university merger talks

EDUCATION secretary Mike Russell has been accused of an “unhealthy” level of “meddling” in the affairs of Scotland’s higher education sector after it was claimed he was central to talks over a possible merger of two universities.

Details released under Freedom of Information laws reportedly show Mr Russell was briefed on the possible merger of Dundee and Abertay universities by the Scottish Funding Council.

Documents show the SFC prepared a seven-page briefing note for the government before it asked the universities to consider a merger.

The paper was sent to Mr Russell’s department on 24 August, three weeks before the proposal was first made public.

In the note, the SFC recommended a merger, with Abertay being absorbed into the bigger University of Dundee.

Jenny Marra, Labour MSP for North-East Scotland, said the document showed there had been a “Machiavellian plot” by the SNP to merge the universities.

Tory education spokeswoman Liz Smith MSP there had been an “unhealthy” amount of “meddling” in the merger talks, which subsequently failed, allowing the two institutions to remain independent.

She said: “The ongoing revelations about the botched Abertay/Dundee merger are symptomatic of a Scottish Government which increasingly thinks it knows best.”

However, a Scottish Government spokeswoman said: “There is no proposal to close any university or college by this government – and never will be.

“Ministers have been clear throughout that the potential merger of Abertay and Dundee universities was a matter for the universities and the funding council – not ministers.”

The Scottish Government has said colleges and universities should explore collaboration and possible merger as a way of saving money.