Latest news with #LadyRoss
The Courier
16-05-2025
- Politics
- The Courier
EXCLUSIVE: £2m St Andrews University donor with links to Israel nearly pulled funds over rector ‘genocide' remarks
A major charity with close links to Israel nearly pulled a £2 million donation to St Andrews University over the rector's remarks about the war in Gaza. The Wolfson Foundation's seven-figure grant for a green energy grant was put in 'serious jeopardy' by the row which erupted in November 2023. A probe by Lady Ross, then Morag Ross KC, who was appointed on January 17, 2024, said the charity was 'very concerned' after Stella Maris accused Israel of committing genocide. The charity's name was redacted when the top judge's independent investigation was published by the university on July 29, 2024. However, today for the first time, The Courier can reveal it was a donation from The Wolfson Foundation that hung in the balance. Lady Ross' report says the funding was eventually secured by the university following 'a close call'. She adds that university principal Dame Sally Mapstone had to 'work very hard to repair damage done' when the row escalated. The judge wrote: 'The principal had to consider potential financial consequences. 'She explained to me that a major project plan had been put in serious jeopardy because the prospective funder, the Wolfson Foundation, had been very concerned about information relating to the university and the statement made by Ms Maris. 'The principal, in particular, but also others, had to work very hard to repair damage done and to rebuild that important relationship.' A university press release on January 31, 2024 announced the Wolfson Foundation's £2m donation to develop green hydrogen technologies. The institution hailed the donation as a 'seal of approval for the quality of the pioneering research' taking place in St Andrews. The charity was established in 1958 by Sir Isaac Wolfson, a Scottish businessman and philanthropist. The Wolfson Foundation, while best known for supporting science, education, and the arts across the UK, has historic ties to the Jewish community and also backs projects in Israel through related family trusts. It previously gave £2m to St Andrews University's medical school in 2008 to open a new biophotonics laboratory. The report by Lady Ross into Ms Maris found she was 'in breach of her obligations' as a member of the university court and charity trustee. It said she exercised 'poor judgement' and her social media posts on the conflict in Gaza were 'ill-judged'. Ms Maris was stripped of her senior powers and removed from the university court after the report's publication. The rector previously told The Courier she had been subjected to a 'smear campaign'. On Wednesday, we revealed the university's governance vice-principal Alastair Merrill extended multiple lunch invitations to Lady Ross after her report was completed, but before its publication. Earlier this month we told how Ms Maris had won her appeal against the decision and would resume her role heading up the university court. Mid Scotland and Fife Green MSP Mark Ruskell previously raised concerns over whether the donor, then anonymous, influenced the university's decision. A St Andrews University spokesperson said: 'No donor has influence on university governance, and it is mischievous and disingenuous to suggest otherwise. 'The university has clear regulations governing the receipt of donations. 'There are some facts here that will not change and are consistently overlooked. 'The rector was dismissed from the Court for breaches of governance after she issued her statement. 'The court's decision had nothing at all to do with the statement itself and all parties know this to be the case. 'The independent report found that Ms Maris was 'rude and discourteous' to Jewish students that she represents and has consistently refused to apologise to them or even to meet them. 'The rector signed a declaration that as president of the court, she would abide by the university court's code of conduct and charity law, but subsequently claimed, in writing, that she was independent of the university's administrative and governance structures, despite presiding over court, the university's supreme governing body. 'These two positions are incompatible.' The Wolfson Foundation was contacted for comment.
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Yahoo
Mercedes driver high on laughing gas jailed for killing pensioner
A driver who inhaled laughing gas and killed a woman while speeding in a Mercedes has been jailed for five years. Washe Manyatelo, 24, struck Annette Dixon, 70, in August 2023 while she was crossing the road with her walking frame in Edinburgh. Manyatelo had been at a party the night before, had not slept and told friends he 'felt fine to drive'. He admitted causing her death by dangerous driving. Sentencing him at the High Court in Edinburgh, judge Lady Ross said: 'That arrogant self-assessment of your condition was woefully wrong.' She added: 'This was a lady in her later years who was much loved by her family. They were close to her and she is missed terribly.' Lady Ross pointed out the car was borrowed and had dangerous defects that meant it would have failed an MOT test. The court heard Manyatelo was driving at excessive speed in a 20mph zone on Stevenson Drive near Saughton Park after inhaling nitrous oxide. He had driven onto the opposing carriageway, mounted a pavement and grass verge, then went back onto the road when he struck Mrs Dixon, who had just exited a bus. Manyatelo fell asleep in a police car following the incident and refused to provide a blood sample for testing, claiming that it was against his religion. Prosecutor John Keenan KC said: 'He did not swerve, break or take any other action to avoid striking Mrs Dixon. The speed on impact was between 26 and 35mph. 'The impact caused her to be projected around 4.5 metres further up the westbound lane.' Manyatelo did not slow down or stop after the collision, but drove on before returning to the crash scene. Members of the public, including an off duty nurse, went to Mrs Dixon's aid. She was taken to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary but died from her injuries. Manyatelo gave negative tests for alcohol, cannabis and cocaine. But officers who were dealing with him noticed that he appeared drowsy and sometimes looked at them with a glazed expression. He agreed to be examined by a doctor who expressed the opinion that he was impaired and that his condition may be due to drug consumption. Officers found four deflated balloons in his car along with a nitrous oxide canister. Defence advocate Iain McSporran KC told judge Lady Ross that his client was sorry for his actions. He said Manyatelo was an 'extremely immature' man who had came to appreciate the seriousness off his actions. Lady Ross also banned Manyatelo from driving for eight years and 10 months. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Telegraph
30-04-2025
- Telegraph
Mercedes driver high on laughing gas jailed for killing pensioner
A driver who inhaled laughing gas and killed a woman while speeding in a Mercedes has been jailed for five years. Washe Manyatelo, 24, struck Annette Dixon, 70, in August 2023 while she was crossing the road with her walking frame in Edinburgh. Manyatelo had been at a party the night before, had not slept and told friends he 'felt fine to drive'. He admitted causing her death by dangerous driving. Sentencing him at the High Court in Edinburgh, judge Lady Ross said: 'That arrogant self-assessment of your condition was woefully wrong.' She added: 'This was a lady in her later years who was much loved by her family. They were close to her and she is missed terribly.' Car would have failed MOT Lady Ross pointed out the car was borrowed and had dangerous defects that meant it would have failed an MOT test. The court heard Manyatelo was driving at excessive speed in a 20mph zone on Stevenson Drive near Saughton Park after inhaling nitrous oxide. He had driven onto the opposing carriageway, mounted a pavement and grass verge, then went back onto the road when he struck Mrs Dixon, who had just exited a bus. Manyatelo fell asleep in a police car following the incident and refused to provide a blood sample for testing, claiming that it was against his religion. Prosecutor John Keenan KC said: 'He did not swerve, break or take any other action to avoid striking Mrs Dixon. The speed on impact was between 26 and 35mph. 'The impact caused her to be projected around 4.5 metres further up the westbound lane.' Manyatelo did not slow down or stop after the collision, but drove on before returning to the crash scene. Members of the public, including an off duty nurse, went to Mrs Dixon's aid. She was taken to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary but died from her injuries. 'Extremely immature' Manyatelo gave negative tests for alcohol, cannabis and cocaine. But officers who were dealing with him noticed that he appeared drowsy and sometimes looked at them with a glazed expression. He agreed to be examined by a doctor who expressed the opinion that he was impaired and that his condition may be due to drug consumption. Officers found four deflated balloons in his car along with a nitrous oxide canister. Defence advocate Iain McSporran KC told judge Lady Ross that his client was sorry for his actions. He said Manyatelo was an 'extremely immature' man who had came to appreciate the seriousness off his actions.
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Yahoo
Laughing gas driver who killed frail woman is jailed
A driver who inhaled laughing gas and killed a woman while speeding in a Mercedes has been jailed for five years. Washe Manyatelo, 24, struck Annette Dixon, 70, in August 2023 while she was crossing the road with her walking frame in Edinburgh. Mayatelo had been at a party the night before, had not slept and told friends he "felt fine to drive". He admitted causing her death by dangerous driving. Sentencing him at the High Court in Edinburgh, judge Lady Ross said: "That arrogant self-assessment of your condition was woefully wrong." She added: "This was a lady in her later years who was much loved by her family. "They were close to her and that she is missed terribly." Lady Ross also pointed out the car was borrowed and had dangerous defects that meant it would have failed an MOT test. More stories from Edinburgh, Fife & East More stories from Scotland The court heard Manyatelo was driving at excessive speed in a 20mph zone on Stevenson Drive near Saughton Park after inhaling nitrous oxide. He had driven onto the opposing carriageway, mounted a pavement and grass verge, then went back onto the road when he struck Mrs Dixon, who had just exited a bus. Manyatelo fell asleep in a police car following the incident and refused to provide a blood sample for testing, claiming that it was against his religion. Prosecutor John Keenan KC said: "He did not swerve, break or take any other action to avoid striking Mrs Dixon. The speed on impact was between 26 and 35 mph. "The impact caused her to be projected around 4.5 metres further up the westbound lane." Manyatelo did not slow down or stop after the collision, but drove on before returning to the crash scene. Members of the public, including an off duty nurse, went to Mrs Dixon's aid. She was taken to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary but died from her injuries. Manyatelo gave negative tests for alcohol, cannabis and cocaine. But officers who were dealing with him noticed that he appeared drowsy and sometimes looked at them with a glazed expression. He agreed to be examined by a doctor who expressed the opinion that he was impaired and that his condition may be due to drug consumption. Officers found four deflated balloons in his car along with a nitrous oxide canister. Defence advocate Iain McSporran KC told judge Lady Ross that his client was sorry for his actions. He said Mayatelo was an "extremely immature" man who had came to appreciate the seriousness off his actions. Lady Ross also banned Manyatelo from driving for eight years and 10 months.
Scottish Sun
30-04-2025
- Scottish Sun
Speeding Mercedes driver who killed frail OAP while high on laughing gas jailed for five years
Manyatelo was cautioned by police after the incident and told them: 'I think I was driving at 30. I think I hit her side on.' BEHIND BARS Speeding Mercedes driver who killed frail OAP while high on laughing gas jailed for five years Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A CAR driver who inhaled laughing gas before he killed a frail pensioner as she crossed a road with her walking stick has been jailed for five years. Washe Manyatelo, 24, was driving a Mercedes C220 at excessive speed when he struck Annette Dixon, 70, after she got off a bus in Edinburgh. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 The convicted drug trafficker admitted causing death by driving dangerously at the High Court in Edinburgh Credit: Alamy Manyatelo - who fell asleep in a police car following the incident - later refused to provide a blood sample for testing following the tragedy, claiming that it was against his religion, the High Court in Edinburgh heard. The convicted drug trafficker admitted causing the death of his victim by driving dangerously on August 26 in 2023, when he appeared at court earlier this year. Sentence had been deferred for the court to obtain reports. On Wednesday, Manyatelo appeared once again at the High Court in Edinburgh for sentencing. Defence advocate Iain McSporran KC told Judge Lady Ross that his client was sorry for his actions. However, Lady Ross told Manyatelo that he'd have to go to jail for his crimes. Passing sentence, she said: 'The night before, you had been at a party. You had not slept at all that night or into the following day. 'You said that you would take some friends to their homes, and thought that you felt fine to drive, but that arrogant self-assessment of your condition was woefully wrong. 'You got into a car, a black Mercedes C220. It wasn't your car. It was borrowed, but you had had it for a few months. 'There were a number of defects in the tyres, including dangerous defects, which would have meant a failure in an MOT test. 'This was a lady in her later years who was much loved by her family. I have read the victim impact statements, provided by her children, and they make it very clear that they were close to her and that she is missed terribly. Stephen Lawrence murder suspect Jamie Acourt is back on the streets after being released from jail 'The impact on them, and on other family members, has been profound, and it continues. 'The sentence that I impose will not come close to matching their sorrow and their pain, and it cannot measure the value of Mrs Dixon's life. No sentence could do that.' At earlier proceedings, the court heard how Manyatelo drove the car, at Stevenson Drive, having inhaled nitrous oxide at excessive speed and failed to maintain proper observations. He went into the opposing carriageway, mounted a pavement and grass verge and back onto the road where he struck the pensioner. Other drivers took evasive action and he narrowly avoided hitting a stationary vehicle and carried out overtaking and undertaking manoeuvres when it was not safe to do so. Manyatelo, who is currently serving a jail sentence for being concerned in the supply of cannabis, was found to have cocaine worth up to £1,400 on the streets, secreted on him internally after the crash. Prosecutor John Keenan KC said: "At 15.29 hours on Saturday, August 2023, the deceased Annette Dixon got off a bus at the stop. "Mrs Dixon walked with a four-wheeled walking frame, in which was placed a bag for shopping." "Using her frame, she slowly moved onto the roadway as westbound traffic cleared from her right-hand side. The accused was driving eastbound on Stevenson Drive," he said. Several witnesses thought the Mercedes driven by Manyatelo was travelling in excess of 30 mph in an area governed by a 20 mph limit. Mr Keenan said: "As it approached the junction with Balgreen Road, the Mercedes moved across the centre line of the road onto the westbound lane. "The offside wheels of the car then mounted the grass verge on the south side of the road, travelled approximately 30 metres along the verge and road towards the bus stop, before moving back onto the westbound lane." "It was at this point that the Mercedes struck Mrs Dixon and her walking frame. She had just moved onto the roadway. She would have been clearly visible to the accused," said the prosecutor. "He did not swerve, break or take any other action to avoid striking Mrs Dixon. The speed on impact was between 26 and 35 mph. The impact caused her to be projected around 4.5 metres further up the westbound lane", said Mr Keenan. Manyatelo did not slow down or stop after the collision but drove on before returning to the crash scene. Members of the public, including an off-duty nurse, went to the aid of the stricken pedestrian. She was taken to the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary but died from her injuries. Manyatelo was cautioned by police and told them: "I think I was driving at 30. I think I hit her side on." Officers found four deflated balloons in his car along with a nitrous oxide canister. It was discovered that the Mercedes he was driving would have failed an MOT because of the state of the tyres on the vehicle which would have affected steering and handling. Manyatelo gave negative tests for alcohol, cannabis and cocaine. But officers who were dealing with him noticed that he appeared drowsy and sometimes looked at them with a glazed expression. Mr Keenan said: "He was arrested and taken to Livingston police station. He slept for the duration of the journey and appeared confused when waking up." During a search of Manyatelo, formerly of Broomhouse Medway, Edinburgh, officers found a further balloon, similar to those seen in his car, and discovered he had 18 grams of cocaine hidden internally in a plastic bag. He agreed to be examined by a doctor who expressed the opinion that he was impaired and that his condition may be due to drug consumption. He was then told of a requirement for a blood sample, and claimed he might faint, and he did not like needles. Mr Keenan added: "He then declined to provide a sample on the basis that it was against his religion, but without explaining why that was so." On Wednesday, Mr McSporran said his client was an 'extremely immature' man who had come to appreciate the seriousness of his actions. He added: 'He understands, as time has gone on, the devastating impact of his family on the family of the deceased. 'He has expressed remorse.' Lady Ross also banned Manyatelo from driving for eight years and 10 months.
