EXCLUSIVE: Dundee University still to strike rescue deal with government
Dundee University chiefs are yet to strike a rescue deal with the government over funding their alternative recovery plan published almost a month ago, The Courier can reveal.
Discussions are still being held between officials, the Scottish Funding Council and the university for the deal which is likely to exceed £40 million.
Some £22 million has already been provided but insiders say the reduction in job losses will mean more financial support is required.
The university's alternative plan proposes around 300 job losses through voluntary severance, a significant reduction of the original figure of 700.
Intense talks are under way on the exact level of financial support which will be requested. The university's governing court is expected to discuss the proposals further next week.
The 'ask' will then be made formally to the Scottish Funding Council and the government – who will then have to decide whether to stump up the cash.
But more than a month since the alternative recovery plan was published, opposition politicians have questioned the delay.
Dundee-based Labour MSP Michael Marra said: 'SNP Ministers set the specific target of job losses and asked the university to cost it.
'That work should have been completed weeks ago but I know the government are already aware of the costs of what they asked for.
'They must move now to expedite this grinding mess of a process.'
The Labour MSP – his party's finance spokesman – said the situation could 'not be more urgent' for the city.
He added: 'The education secretary was clear that the government was open to providing further funding via the SFC, and the first minister said directly that the original recovery plan was completely unacceptable.
'They must now be as good as their word and get a plan finalised immediately.'
His concerns are shared by North East Fife MSP Willie Rennie, who serves as the Liberal Democrat education spokesman.
He said the continued assurances the issue was being dealt with at the highest reach of government meant there was 'no excuse' for unnecessary delay.
'Staff at the university have been left to face mounting uncertainty for months, which has only been exacerbated by the lack of a clear response from ministers.
'So far there is little evidence of the determination which [First Minister] John Swinney promised.
'The government must stick to its word and the clear indication that it would step up with further support. They need to provide a response without prevarication.
'The longer the government's indecision continues, the greater the anxiety for staff, and the greater the damage to confidence in the institution will be.'
A spokeswoman for the Scottish Funding Council said it was working closely with the university as it finalises the financial details.
She said: 'While we recognise that staff will understandably be anxious, equally this is a complex process, and the necessary time is needed to ensure due diligence is carried out.
'The funding council is engaging intensively with the University of Dundee, and it is expected that there will be an announcement on funding requirements in the near future.'
SNP universities minister Graeme Dey told The Courier the situation was being treated with 'urgency'.
He said: 'We continue to hold regular meetings with the Scottish Funding Council, Dundee University and trade unions.
'The deputy first minister is also chairing a cross-Ministerial group to consider what further action the Scottish Government may be able to take.
'Work is continuing with the Scottish Funding Council on the further development of an alternative financial recovery plan.'
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No cameras, no surveillance, as the pickup man doesn't know nothing so he's no use to you. Drop off, 4pm Saturday. I'll draw you a map and X will mark the spot." Years later the garage owner lost his licence to carry out MOT tests after the police claimed he was "involved in serious and organised crime, including trafficking and supply of class A drugs". Officers had urged vehicle inspection agency VOSA to strip him of the licence as part of a strategy to target the business interests of suspected criminals. He threatened to put £40,000 of his own money on the line take Strathclyde Police to court and prove he's innocent of his family's crimes. He died in 2022 aged 63 after falling outside his home in Cumbernauld. He passed away at Monklands General Hospital in Airdrie. A hospital insider claims that around 60 people visited the grandfather's bedside, including his son Paul Lyons, who was escorted from prison where he is serving time for a road rage killing. Paul Lyons The son of David Lyons, Paul was jailed in 2010 for the road rage killing of van driver Mark Fleeman, 32. He hit speeds of 100mph after a night out as he chased down his victim on the M74. Father-of-two Mr Fleeman died at the scene after Lyons rammed his van, causing it to leave the road and overturn. Lee Allsup, Mr Fleeman's 17-year-old passenger, also suffered life-changing brain and leg injuries. In January 2023 he was let out of prison to attend his dad David Lyons funeral. He was flanked by three prison guards so he could attend the service - where he played an active role. As well as placing a rose in his dad's coffin the killer also gave a speech as part of the eulogy. Later that year he was attacked in prison by murderer Peter Allen. Lyons stuck to a "gangland code" and refused to pin the blame on Allen, who is serving a life sentence for stabbing a man 142 times and leaving a knife lodged in his eye socket. Debbie Lyons Sister to Eddie Lyons Snr, was found dead at her home in the Milton area of the city in 2020. She was described as a "lost soul" having struggled with drugs for 30 years. Police were called to her flat but she had already passed away. Eddie Lyons Jr Some 18 years ago, Eddie Lyons Jnr survived a previous attempt on his life when he was ambushed by Kevin Carroll in Bellshill, Lanarkshire. It followed the fatal shooting at Applerow Motors. Eddie and his pal Ross Monaghan later appeared in court but were cleared of a vicious street attack on three men outside a bar in East Dunbartonshire which took place in April 2016. The trial collapsed, however, when two of the alleged victims said they had no memory of what had happened to them. The pair remained close friends and had were understood to have just watched the Champions League final in Monaghan's Bar on Saturday night before they were shot dead at close range. Ross Monaghan Lyons enforcer Monaghan first hit headlines when he was arrested as a suspect for the infamous Asda car park shooting in Robroyston. Kevin "Gerbil" Carroll, 29, had at the time been responsible for a series of so-called "alien abductions" across central Scotland. The kidnappings were described in such a way as the victims, who were tortured and robbed, told police they couldn't remember anything about their ordeal. Carroll attended a lunchtime business meeting in the supermarket car park on 13 January 2010. He was sat in the back of a black Audi A3 when a speeding Volkswagen Golf screeched to a halt in front of the vehicle. Carroll's two associates fled leaving him trapped in the back of the three-door car. Two masked men emerged from the Golf and opened fire, shattering the rear passenger windows. Carroll was shot 13 times in the head and chest in an attack that lasted 25 seconds. Monaghan was arrested in August 2010, just 10 days before his partner gave birth to their daughter. He spent six months on remand only to be acquitted of the murder in May 2012 after a judge ruled that there was insufficient evidence to convict him. Monaghan said at the time: "It's been a nightmare. I'm glad to get this over. I've always said it was nothing to do with me." Less than five years later Monaghan was shot in the shoulder outside a Glasgow primary school after dropping his child off. When the gunman opened fire, he was pushing a child's buggy on Muirdykes Road near St George's Primary, Penilee. Two associates of the Daniel clan were both cleared of the attack at a trial but were later convicted for other organised crime offences. Following the school shooting, Monaghan is believed to have moved to Spain. He was the owner of Monaghan's bar in the Costa del Sol, where he was slain. The shooting is the most significant gangland development since 2010 when Daniel enforcer Kevin "Gerbil" Carroll was shot dead in an Asda car park. Kevin "Gerbil" Carroll, was assassinated in the car park of the Asda store in Glasgow's Robroyston in 2010 - a killing linked to the warring families. Gerbil built up a reputation as one of Scotland's most feared gangsters, said to be responsible for a number of so-called 'alien abduction' attacks. These abductions involved he and his crew targeting rival drug dealers while pretending to be police officers. They stormed homes and businesses while claiming to be cops, before beating their rivals and stealing their guns, cash and drugs. But Gerbil met a violent end himself, when the 29-year-old was shot 13 times in 25 seconds and found slumped in the back seat of a black Audi A3, having been locked inside the vehicle. Ross Monaghan and William "Buff" Paterson were charged over the murder, with Paterson convicted and Monaghan walking free. Lyons footsoldier Andrew "Piggy" Pickett went on to exact revenge over the Applerow Motors attack, being one of the six-strong gang which left Daniels-clan leader Bonzo scarred for life in the Port Dundas ambush attack in May 2017. Steven "Bonzo" Daniel - the nephew of former Daniels leader Jamie Daniel - was ambushed by the group following a Rangers match at Ibrox. He was left horrendously disfigured. The High Court in Glasgow heard Pickett and key Lyons member Andrew "Dumbo" Gallacher carried out the attack. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. They pulled off the ambush, which took place close to the M8, with the help of four others - Brian Ferguson, John Hardie, Andrew Sinclair and Peter Bain. All six were found guilty of conspiracy to murder, with the court hearing targets were tailed using tracking devices, while the gang used high-power stolen getaway cars and encrypted mobile phones. Gallacher, who died in prison while serving his jail term for the offence, was a close pal of Ross Monaghan and William Paterson. The attack on Bonzo came just months after Monaghan had been shot. He was targeted by a gunman who had his gun stashed in a buggy, after Monaghan dropped off a child at St George's Primary School, in Glasgow's Penilee. A new wave The identity of Dubai-based gangster 'Mr Big' who is waging gang wars across Scotland was revealed as ex-Rangers ultras capo Ross McGill. The former Union Bears chief, 31, was unmasked as the hood orchestrating a series of firebomb and gun attacks across Edinburgh and Glasgow. During his time at the group, McGill made a series of public appearances including posing with former manager Steven Gerrard and handing club captain James Tavernier a player of the year award. He fled the country months after stepping down from the Ibrox supporters' group in 2022. McGill, of East Kilbride, failed to appear in court on petition in November of that year and a warrant was issued for his arrest. An underworld source told the Record McGill fled to Spain before setting up home in the United Arab Emirates. He resurfaced this year as an aspiring crime kingpin, ordering a series of brutal attacks against the Daniels and close associate, Edinburgh mob boss Mark Richardson. A turf war broke out this March after Richardson's cronies allegedly bought £500,000 of cocaine from McGill with fake cash. McGill's enforcers, a faceless and frightening group going by the name of Tamo Junto (TMJ), have carried out a series of firebombings and other vicious attacks on homes, businesses and cars associated with Richardson. McGill then turned his attention to the Daniel family. It is understood he recruited members of the Lyons family to help orchestrate attacks on the Daniels and feed him information.
