University of Buckingham Vice-Chancellor Suspended Amid Allegations of Affair with Indian Woman

Professor James Tooley, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Buckingham, has been suspended following allegations of an affair with a young woman from Hyderabad, India.

The woman, now in her 20s, has claimed she had a sexual relationship with the 65-year-old academic, though Tooley has denied the accusations.

The allegations surfaced after Tooley’s wife, Cynthia, provided copies of diaries reportedly written by the young woman to university officials. The diaries allegedly detail a romantic and sexual relationship between the woman and Tooley, who is said to have supported her financially by paying her university fees.

Reports suggest the relationship began after Tooley’s involvement in an educational project in Hyderabad aimed at providing low-cost private schooling for underprivileged communities.

Cynthia, aged 42, is a first-generation immigrant from Nigeria who moved to the UK at 21 to pursue postgraduate studies. She claimed she met Tooley when she was 18, with their relationship allegedly beginning a few years later.

However, there have been discrepancies in the timeline, with Cynthia later suggesting she may have been 25 when the relationship started.

The young woman at the center of the allegations has defended Tooley, stating he treated her with respect and was never exploitative. She described him as “kind and thoughtful,” dismissing any notion that he used his power or wealth to manipulate her.

Professor Tooley, who has led the university since 2020 after succeeding historian Sir Anthony Seldon, has called the accusations “baseless and malicious.” His suspension was communicated to students in a letter in October.

Through his legal representation, he expressed confidence that he would be “vindicated” as the investigation progressed.

The University of Buckingham, co-founded by Margaret Thatcher, has faced significant public scrutiny over the matter, which has drawn attention to its leadership and governance. The academic community is awaiting further developments as the investigation unfolds.