The SNP’s deputy Westminster leader, who was formerly HR boss at a troubled Lanarkshire college, has been accused of “hiding behind a wall of silence” by refusing to disclose what she knew about stinging allegations of systematic bullying, intimidation and fraud within the institution’s ranks.
MP for East Renfrewshire, Kirsten Oswald, was drawn into the ongoing saga surrounding South Lanarkshire College when Central Scotland MSP Graham Simpson declared in the Scottish Parliament last week that he has been informed “she knew what was going on” at the institution where she was head of HR from 2003 to 2015.
Mr Simpson maintains that, as a public figure, Ms Oswald – who held the senior position at the college for 12 years under the watch of former principal, Stewart McKillop – “should say what she knew and whether she was asked to do anything.”
When Lanarkshire Live approached Ms Oswald for comment, we received no response.
Tory MSP Mr Simpson told Lanarkshire Live: “Kirsten Oswald worked as head of HR at the college and should say if she knew anything of the allegations that have been widely reported. Her input could prove invaluable and hiding behind a wall of silence is simply not acceptable."
During parliamentary questions last week, Mr Simpson called for the reinstatement of South Lanarkshire College principal Aileen McKechnie who, along with clerk to the board Brian Keegan, was dramatically suspended after Ms McKechnie launched an investigation into whistle-blowing claims.
Mr Simpson said: “What has been going on at South Lanarkshire College is a scandal. There are allegations of private businesses operating from college premises, using college materials and lecturing staff time. In my view, the new principal, Aileen McKechnie, was cleaning up the mess.
“She was suspended, and she should be reinstated. The local EIS-FELA branch had a vote of no confidence in the board. I was at a branch meeting last week, and it was announced that the national executive is backing the branch on that, which is quite unprecedented.”
He continued: “Much of what happened allegedly took place while the head of human resources at the college was Kirsten Oswald, who is now the Member of Parliament for East Renfrewshire."
Mr Simpson asked Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills, Shirley-Anne Somerville, in the Scottish Parliament whether she has discussed the matter with Ms Oswald and agrees that she should declare what she knew.
Ms Somerville replied: “I understand and appreciate that members will have concerns over the issues at the college. However, I urge caution about naming individuals in the chamber and casting aspersions on them, particularly while due process is on-going at the college.”
Saying she did not want to prejudice on-going investigations, Ms Somerville said she takes “the accusations at the college very seriously” and is “in regular discussion with the Scottish Funding Council to receive reassurances about the situation.”
Speaking exclusively to Lanarkshire Live, Graham Simpson revealed that he was recently approached by an individual who wanted to discuss serious concerns about widely-reported allegations.
Mr Simpson said: “As an MSP, I offer people complete confidentiality and I agreed to meet this individual on that basis. It’s fair to say they were scared stiff. Nobody should be frightened to meet an MSP, but this person was."
Ms McKechnie was previously director of advanced learning and science at the Scottish Government, with responsibility for the effective sponsorship and financial management of the Scottish Funding Council, while Mr Keegan was chairperson of Scotland’s Colleges for nearly four years and of the board of management at Langside College.
Referencing this experience, Mr Simpson said: “Both these individuals are extremely highly-regarded and, by all accounts, sticklers for the rules, with a strong moral compass – so much so that Mrs McKechnie, on hearing the claims, reported as covering things like fraud, theft and general malfeasance, decided to get to the bottom of it.
“She was clearly immensely popular, so much so that one staff member told me this week: ‘We believe the only individual capable and trustworthy enough to repair the damage to our college is Aileen McKechnie'."
Mr Simpson continued: “I believe that Aileen McKechnie and Brian Keegan should be reinstated. The college needs a fresh start and it needs to move on.
"It has some great staff, who are worn down. And if they are worn down, then that does the students who they are there to serve no good whatsoever.”
Lanarkshire Live asked South Lanarkshire College to comment on calls for the reinstatement of Aileen McKechnie and Brian Keegan.
We also asked for a statement on calls that Kirsten Oswald should be declaring what she knew of allegations/whistle-blowing in the 12 years during which she held the post of head of HR at South Lanarkshire College.
And we also requested a comment from South Lanarkshire College regarding Graham Simpson's reference in the Scottish Parliament to the 'Homer Gang' whose members, it is alleged, did odd jobs in college time, using college materials.
A spokesperson for the college simply responded: “South Lanarkshire College takes any allegation of staff or board misconduct extremely seriously.
"Following receipt of anonymous allegations in September 2020, South Lanarkshire College conducted an independent externally led forensic investigation. The report, produced by Azets, concluded that there was no evidence of criminality that would have necessitated a further investigation by the police.
"However, recommendations were identified, all of which were accepted by the college. The management response to the Azet report details those recommendations in full and is available publicly on the college website.”
Don't miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here.
And did you know Lanarkshire Live is on Facebook? Head on over and give us a like and share!
