Advokat Mark Manley, from Brabners Chaffe Streets, has gotten his client, Dr, Tom McMaster, an award for ten thousand pounds for libel. The suit was filed against Dr. McMaster's employer, the University of Salford. The problems all began when Dr. McMaster attended a conference a few years ago in the Republic of Ireland. Rather than use public transportation at a higher cost to travel to the conference, Dr. McMaster asked for and received permission to travel to the conference by boat with friends of his, the okay being given by his research director. When the conference was over, Dr. McMaster turned in a claim for expenses in the amount of one hundred and eighty pounds. The claim was turned down by the finance director, Ray Corner, so Dr. McMaster sent an e-mail trying to confirm that his expenses would be reimbursed. In response, Mr. Corner sent an e-mail in return, with a copy sent to four other colleagues, stating that the claim was an attempt at fraud and was rejected as it should be. The e-mail also stated "Those who submitted and certified it should be ashamed of themselves."



After demanding an explanation an not receiving one, Dr. McMaster had his advokat draw up a letter asking for a full apology and retraction from the university and Mr. Corner, as well as an offer for a proposed settlement for costs and damages. The letter further notified Mr. Corner that he should seek legal advice, and if an apology was not made then the university would be held responsible by Dr. McMaster, his advokat, and the courts. In response, Mr. Corner sent a reply that basically repeated the fraud allegation once more. At this point, after consulting with his advokat, a suit for libel was filed against the University of Salford. In March, there was a petition made by the University of Salford to the High Court asking that the case be dismissed as a frivolous lawsuit, but the judge turned down the petition, and as a result the University of Salford settled with Dr. McMasters for ten thousand pounds. The advokat for Dr. McMaster has also advised him to file grievances against several employees of the university, including Mr. Corner as well as the registrar at the university who was responsible for the oversight of his original complaint and the HR officer who was responsible for investigating the complaints made by Dr. McMaster.