‘Fake students’ inquiry at Liverpool Community College
May 14 2009 Liverpool Daily Post
Tom Hanson (centre) with Michael Clarkson left and Peter Daly outside Liverpool Community College
LIVERPOOL Community College was last night at the centre of a probe into allegations it awarded hundreds of qualifications to people who had not attended courses.
Riverside MP Louise Ellman said she was “extremely concerned” by information uncovered during a three-month investigation by the Post’s sister paper, the Liverpool Echo.
Cllr Malcolm Kennedy, a member of the college’s board, said he believed a “criminal” element outside the college had become involved.
Data has been obtained which shows people’s personal details appearing on college files as though they had attended courses, even though they had never studied there.
Material has also emerged which suggests employer references needed to draw European funding were forged.
Merseyside Police says it is taking the allegations “extremely seriously” and is reviewing whether a criminal investigation needs to be launched.
One former student discovered more than 20 qualifications he did not do were held in his name.
Another Liverpool man signed a form to say he would be interested in enrolling, but without ever attending was awarded an NVQ certificate in IT Systems.
Whistle-blowers among former staff, including IT lecturer Tom Hanson, who made the allegations, say an internal inquiry did not weed out those responsible.
Mrs Ellman said: “I find what has been presented to me extremely concerning, and I will be writing to the college principal to seek a full investigation.”
Garston MP Maria Eagle is also to write to the National Auditor General about the allegations.
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