University is cleared of bullying

Oct 23 2007 by Urmee Khan, The Journal

DURHAM University has been cleared of bullying and harassment allegations made by a lecturer who claimed she was singled out after defending the rights of third world students.

Dr Kathryn Hunt said senior staff at the university began to mistreat her after she pointed out that the closure of the counselling department (Cesco) in 2002 would breach a contract with the Kenyan Association of Professional Counsellors.

But an employment tribunal panel yesterday delivered its judgment in favour of Durham University.

Dr Hunt, lecturer in Counselling and Education at the University, told the tribunal in Newcastle earlier this year that she had suffered mistreatment at the hands of Professor Robert Allison, the Executive Dean of the Faculty of Social Science and Health, during and after a meeting with him in 2002, at which she said the university was putting financial concerns above those of lives in the Third World. She said she had no support from her faculty which forced her to take three months’ leave for stress.

The tribunal found “there was no bullying or harassment by Professor Allison”. It also ruled the university did not put financial concerns above those of the Third World.

Last night, a university spokesman said: “Durham University is pleased to have won this case and that all allegations of bullying and harassment made against either past or present members of staff have been rejected in their entirety by the employment tribunal.

Dr Hunt was unavailable for comment.