You'd be Daffyd to keep him! *Updates*

The University of Salford's Audit Committee is described on their website in the following, rather flattering, terms:

"The Audit Committee is responsible to Council for adequate and effective risk management, control and governance (including ensuring the probity of the financial statements and the effective management and quality assurance of data submitted to funding bodies) and for the economy, efficiency and effectiveness of the institution's activities."

All very proper sounding. But why oh why, given these onerous and crucial responsibilities that the committee is required to fulfil, would the University elect to keep Ian 'Daffyd' Austin as its Chairman?

News has emerged today via The Lawyer that Halliwells LLP - the 'Biggest Law Firm in the North West' that Ian Austin 'managed' to its collapse - went into administration last year owing creditors a staggering £200,000,000.00.

Yes, you read that correctly - Two Hundred Million Pounds.

This includes a staggering £5.5m debt owed to Her Majesty's Revenue & Customs in unpaid taxes and VAT, and £17.7m to the (government owned) Royal Bank of Scotland.

But not only are the University of Salford placing huge trust in Austin to provide 'adequate and effective risk management' (!!), but they obviously trust his judgement enough to employ his legal services in order to try and pursue a libel case against Dr Gary Duke - a case mired in controversy and which has gone conspicuously quiet as of late.

So if the University want to know why some people seem not to trust the judgement of senior management, they need look no further than their placing their faith in Mr Austin.

*Updates*

The Administrators of Halliwells LLP have reported that it is highly unlikely that the small business creditors of the failed firm will ever be repaid. This includes an unfortunate Sandwich Shop owner, who the firm were running up massive bills with until the day they announced their intention to file for administration. This behaviour on the part of 'respectable' lawyers is frankly disgusting.

Furthermore, it appears that a number of the former Halliwells employees will have their day in court. Naturally we will be covering these proceedings to see what revelations emerge.