The University of Greater Manchester’s vice-chancellor has left his position amid an ongoing police investigation into alleged financial irregularities at the institution.

Staff have been told by email that the contract of George Holmes has been ended. The note, seen by Times Higher Education, said that Holmes was “no longer an employee of the university”.

In a statement released through his lawyer, Holmes called the decision a “travesty” and said he had been “denied natural justice”.

The vice-chancellor was suspended last year in light of the “serious allegations” alongside the university’s provost and “another senior member of academic staff”.

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Three people – two men in their 60s and a woman in her 50s – were arrested last month as Greater Manchester Police’s major incident team continued its probe into an alleged £1 million of “fraudulent activity”.

All three were arrested on suspicion of money laundering. The men were also arrested on suspicion of fraud, with one of them additionally being held on suspicion of bribery.

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A spokesperson for the university confirmed to Times Higher Education that Holmes was departing.

“Dr George Holmes’s contract as vice-chancellor was ended by the governing body of the university earlier this week. The staff and students of the university have been informed of developments,” a statement said.

“Dr Greg Walker remains in post as acting vice-chancellor. The governing body of the university will meet in due course to consider the process and timelines for appointing a permanent head of the institution.”

Phil Brickell, MP for Bolton West, welcomed the development. “Now that we know that George Holmes is no longer the vice-chancellor of the university, it is vital that the institution focuses on restoring confidence, ensuring strong governance, and maintaining its commitment to students, staff and the wider community,” he said.

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“There is an ongoing police investigation but once concluded the university should seek to draw a line under this affair, learn any lessons arising from it, and move forward in a way that delivers the best outcomes for its staff, students and the people of Bolton.

“Stability, transparency and a clear focus on educational excellence will be essential in the period ahead.”

But Holmes himself reacted with anger. “The decision of the university’s governing board to dismiss me after over 20 years of loyal service to the University of Greater Manchester is a travesty,” his statement said. 

“I have been denied natural justice, due process and the right to be presumed innocent of all that I have been accused of.”

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Holmes said he looked forward to “the opportunity to clear my name in due course, and to holding the individuals at the university, and their professional advisers, PwC and Eversheds, personally to account when the time comes”.

“I am a patient man. It will be worth the wait. I will not be commenting further until my name is cleared.”

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tom.williams@timeshighereducation.com