A charity is investigating a £280,000 payment to former Aberdeen principal

The Scottish Funding Council is investigating a recent payment of £280,000 made to the former principal of the University of Aberdeen.

Sir Ian Diamond announced his retirement in June 2017, but only started his 12-month notice period in July 2018. There are questions as to whether this agreement obeys the 12 month rule.

SFC said they were reviewing whether the payment “met the clear governance and value for money requirements.”

Aberdeen University have also been contacted by a North-east Labour MSP, who highlighted that the former principal was also paid £312,000 in salary and pension contributions during the 2017/18 financial year.

Just months ago, the SFC ordered universities to improve transparency on executive pay. This came after Robert Gordon University principal Ferdinand von Prondzynski received a £237,000 pay-off last August.

The Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator has said in a statement: “We can confirm that we have an ongoing inquiry.

“In line with our inquiry policy, we cannot comment on an ongoing inquiry as this may prejudice the work of OSCR and the charity.”

Esther Roberton of the University of Aberdeen said: “As senior governor of the University of Aberdeen I am committed to ensuring proper use of public money.

“The university is cooperating fully with OSCR and SFC regarding the circumstances of the retirement arrangements of the former principal.”

They Scottish Funding Council hope to publish a verdict on their review by the 29th of August.

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