University of Aberdeen 'will not pursue' former principal for repayment

Prof Sir Ian Diamond announced his plans to retire in 2017

The University of Aberdeen will not pursue its former principal over a six-figure retirement settlement he was asked to pay back.

Prof Sir Ian Diamond announced his plans to retire in 2017, but his 12-month notice period only began when he had actually left his post in 2018.

The university repaid £119,000 to the Scottish Funding Council, and asked Prof Diamond for a repayment in July.

His successor told BBC Scotland they did not intend to pursue it further.

Prof Diamond became Chief Statistician with the Office of National Statistics after he retired from the university.

• 'Breach of duty' over principal's leaving payment

• Former university head asked to repay £119,000

• University repays £119,000 over principal pay-off

The Scottish Funding Council said the former principal's total remuneration disclosed in the financial statements for 2017-18 was more than £600,000.

Under an agreement with the university, his contractual 12-month notice period was only triggered in July 2018, the same month he retired from the role.

Five months ago, the university's governing body decided to "invite him to consider a repayment".

The Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR) then said University of Aberdeen trustees were in "breach of duty" when reaching the settlement.

George Boyne said they had received no updates on the matter

The OSCR decided against taking action.

Successor Prof George Boyne told BBC Scotland of the repayment request: "We've received no update on that matter, we assume the matter will be closed if we receive no further update.

"I can't say for sure whether we'll get a further update but we've no intention to pursue it."