Imperial rector sorry for 'third rate' comments

The rector of Imperial College, Sir Richard Sykes, has issued a full apology for his "ill-considered and clumsy" comments in which he labelled some universities - in particular Luton - "third class".

The row that followed his comments, made in an interview with the Financial Times newspaper in March, threatened to split the university sector as leaders of the new universities called for his resignation from the board of the funding council Hefce, claiming his views threatened its credibility.

Hefce has held meetings with Sir Richard and representatives from the new universities in an attempt to resolve the dispute ahead of its annual conference that starts tomorrow.

In a letter to the vice-chancellor of Luton University, Professor Les Ebdon, dated April 7, Sir Richard wrote: "I would like to put on record my regrets over my references to 'third class institutions' and to Luton and to apologise."

His letter continued: "I was trying to emphasise that universities are different and need to be treated differently but my language was ill-considered and clumsy and I am sorry to have caused offence."

Yesterday, Professor Michael Driscoll, vice-chancellor of Middlesex University and chairman of the Campaign for Mainstream Universities, which led the calls for Sir Richard's resignation from Hefce, said: "We're pleased Sir Richard has seen the light and believe the matter to be settled."

In a separate development following the row, Professor Michael Sterling, vice-chancellor of Birmingham University and chairman of the Russell group of elite universities, questioned whether vice-chancellors should be allowed to sit on the Hefce board of governors.

The Hefce board consists of 12 members, including Jackie Fisher, the principal of Newcastle College, Sir Gareth Roberts, president of Wolfson College, Oxford, Professor Peter Scott, vice-chancellor of Kingston University, Ann Tate, rector of University College Northampton, and Sir Richard.