Deposed college board says legal action is possible

The deposed board of Glasgow Clyde College has said the education secretary’s decision to replace them yesterday could be challenged in court.

The outgoing board was removed by Education Secretary Angela Constance after trade unions called on her to intervene in an ongoing row involving the suspension of college principal Susan Walsh.

Ms Constance told the Scottish Parliament that the outgoing board members “could not provide the stewardship that is expected at a multimillion-pound public sector organisation”.

She said: “I have removed all the members of the Glasgow Clyde College board today with immediate effect. I have not taken that action lightly.

“In their place, I have appointed a new chair—Alex Linkston—and new members. They have the skills, experience and personal commitment necessary for improvement. I am grateful to them for stepping in and I am pleased that, in Alex Linkston, the college and its board will have a highly respected and well-qualified leader.”

However, a statement from the outgoing board reads: “All eight board members believe they have acted properly and with integrity in the best interests of the college, students and staff.

“The Education Secretary’s decision is unprecedented and unjustified and it is open to challenge in the courts.

“We call on the Scottish Parliament’s education committee to conduct a full inquiry into the matter and we are ready to give our evidence.”

They added: “The decision raises serious questions about the autonomy of college boards in Scotland and, perhaps, the charitable status of colleges.”

Ms Constance told MSPs she “will attend the Education and Culture Committee and any other committee of the Parliament as and when I am requested to do so”.