A university vice-chancellor who was praised for his support of free speech has been exonerated of any wrongdoing after his estranged wife made "serious allegations" against him. In October of last year, Professor James Tooley was suspended from his £229,000-a-year position as vice-chancellor at the University of Buckingham.An email issued to almost 4,000 employees and students announced the decision, which came after his ex-wife Cynthia Tooley brought many "serious allegations" to the attention of the university.The charges were not made public by the University of Buckingham, but according to sources who spoke to The Telegraph, they involved his ownership of a junior air rifle—which is exempt from a guns license—and information of a past affair with an Indian lady. The allegations were found to be “not substantiated” and Prof Tooley’s suspension has been overturned with immediate effect.In an internal memo sent to university staff on Tuesday evening, seen by The Telegraph, officials confirmed that an independent report had found no wrongdoing.

Mark Qualter, chair of the university council, said: “The report found that the serious allegations against the Vice-Chancellor were not substantiated. The report has been considered by council and the suspension of the vice-chancellor brought to an end.“The university is liaising with the vice-chancellor in relation to the practicalities of his return to work.” 

The university has not made public the full report, which is understood to run to 85 pages. It was overseen by Joseph O’Brien KC, who was appointed to lead the independent investigation into the allegations against Prof Tooley last autumn.

The conclusion will raise serious questions over the university’s handling of the case.

Allies of Prof Tooley told The Telegraph last month that the “vexatious” allegations flagged by his estranged wife were seized upon by university management, who have been keen to eject him for some time.

Prof Tooley was evicted from Ondaatje Hall, his grace-and-favour house on the university grounds, on Oct 11 last year after Mr Qualter emailed staff and students to announce his immediate suspension that same day.

The Buckingham figurehead is a staunch free-speech advocate who has spoken out publicly against the “cancel culture” he claimed had taken root across British campuses. He succeeded Sir Anthony Seldon as Buckingham’s vice-chancellor in 2020.

One academic claimed that the university had pounced on the allegations against Prof Tooley “as a means of damaging him and forcing through because they don’t like him. They think he’s too libertarian, too Thatcherite, too Right-wing”.

Buckingham staff also accused Mr Qualter of having “not followed” due process in suspending Prof Tooley.

Last month that senior academics had called for the suspension to be “immediately lifted” in a legal letter sent to university officials.

They urged Mr Qualter to recuse himself from the investigation into the allegations, since it was being handled by the university’s nomination and governance committee, where he is also chair.

Exonerated

In his email to staff on Tuesday exonerating Prof Tooley, the council chair said: “You will recall that in October the university was made aware of a number of serious allegations involving our vice-chancellor, Prof James Tooley.

“The nature of the allegations were such that the university had to investigate them and we took the decision to suspend the vice-chancellor, a neutral act pending the outcome of the investigation.

“The university council and I were determined that a thorough, fair and independent investigation should be carried out in accordance with our governing documents. A senior, specialist barrister was appointed to undertake the investigation.“You will understand that due to the nature of the investigation and to protect the privacy of all parties involved we are unable to disclose specific details regarding the allegations.”

He added that the university was aware of the “difficult period” the events had caused for Buckingham staff and students.

“The process through which we have been is a testament to the robustness and fairness of the university’s procedures and our commitment to sound governance – even in the face of some criticism in certain sections of the media.

“Council and I are grateful to you for your unwavering commitment to delivering an exceptional student experience.”

The University of Buckingham was approached for comment.

Source-Daily Telegraph