Brendan Foster CBE, the chancellor of Leeds Metropolitan University, has resigned. The move follows the resignation of the university’s vice-chancellor Simon Lee earlier this month.

Mr Foster told 51�Թ�: “I wish the university every success, as I’ve said in my resignation letter. Since the chairman of the governors and the vice-chancellor who invited me on board have now gone, it seems it’s time to hand over to a new regime.”

His resignation will be formally communicated to the university’s board of governors at a meeting this afternoon.

51�Թ� understands that Mr Foster sent a letter to the chairman of governors Ninian Watt on 12 January 2009 – two days before the announcement of Professor Lee’s resignation – in which the chancellor warned of his intention to relinquish his position.

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At the meeting this afternoon, governors will also discuss the circumstances surrounding Professor Lee’s departure. A public statement is expected in light of this meeting.

Speculation about Professor Lee’s departure has centred on a disagreement between him and Mr Watt about what was agreed with regard to tuition fees policy at a governors’ meeting in July 2008.

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It is understood that Professor Lee wanted to maintain the university’s policy of charging a discounted undergraduate tuition fee of £2,000 a year, while some on the board wanted to increase it.

melanie.newman@tsleducation.com