MP accuses college boss of '˜bullying tactics'

In a letter Hull College Group chief executive Gary Warke criticised Hull East MP Karl Turner for addressing staff on the picket lines at the college on Tuesday “two days before local elections.”

The letter opened by expressing “sincere disappointment” that the MP had not taken the “courtesy” of informing bosses that he was planning an appearance.

It went on to say previously Hull College had “enjoyed very good relationships with all our local MPs, however we find your actions on May 3 on campus, two days before local elections highly inappropriate and disrespectful to the Hull College Group.”

It said it was clear from Mr Turner’s speech “and by your own confession you do not know all the details or facts,” before delivering the college’s side of the story.

Mr Turner, the Shadow Attorney General, hit back at the “veiled threats” and said he was backing staff who had walked out in a dispute over pay and terms and conditions.

Eighty-five per cent of University and College Union (UCU) members had voted for strike action. He has since referred Mr Warke’s “threatening and derogatory” letter to chair of governors Patricia Tomlinson for an investigation.

In a blog Mr Turner posted a picture of Jeremy Corbyn, who visited Hull last week, holding a poster supporting the strike, adding: “Whilst Mr Warke may feel that he can bully and intimidate his staff at Hull City College, he cannot do it to me, an elected Member of Parliament.

“He might pay himself more than the Prime Minister whilst his staff are effectively on pay freezes, but not even the Prime Minister would dare to use threats on an elected MP.

“My constituents have a right to be represented. I feel that as a result of Mr Warke’s unwarranted letter, I have had no choice but to take action and call for an investigation.”

UCU said the walkout had been sparked by management’s failure to honour a 0.7 per cent pay rise offer and a pledge to overhaul an unfair observation system, that could take place at a minute’s notice.

It has since described the principal’s letter as a “remarkable response from the college leadership.”

Hull College said the letter provided their factual position and was in the “interests of providing a balanced view.”

They said the observation system had won praise from Ofsted and they were facing a “challenging funding climate.”