Professor Bob Cryan, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Huddersfield, tied his leadership and reputation to the continued defence of Prince Andrew (Mountbatten-Windsor). This was a decision that reflects a profound failure of the University's judgement and responsibility.

At every opportunity Bob Cryan chose to shield Prince Andrew from scrutiny and went as far as branding allegations made against him as "ridiculous". Then when questioned about Jeffrey Eptsein having been convincted for soliciting a minor for prostitution, Cryan's response was merely that "we all make mistakes".

This is not even trying to be neutral, but actually dismissing the suffering of hundreds of children. For a university leader to so casually undermine vulnerable victims raising serious claims of abuse is completely indefensible.

What's more alarming is that Cryan wilfully disregard Prince Andrew’s association with Jeffrey Epstein. By reducing that relationship to a simple “mistake,” Cryan trivialised the scale and nature of Epstein’s crimes and ignored the deeply troubling implications of maintaining such a connection.

Cryan himself has acknowledged that he considers Prince Andrew a close friend. That admission alone should have disqualified him from making any decision involving Andrew’s role at the university. Yet in 2015, with full knowledge of Andrew’s links to Epstein, Cryan fully endorsed him and made him to Chancellor of the University of Huddersfield. This was not just poor judgement, it was a blatant conflict of interest, placing personal loyalty above the reputation and ethical standing of the institution he was entrusted to lead.

The conflict does not end there. Serious questions arise from the apparent connection between Cryan’s relationship with Prince Andrew and his receipt of a CBE. When a senior public figure benefits from honours potentially influenced by a close associate they later defend so aggressively, it undermines trust in both the individual and the system that rewarded them.

Taken together, it paints a damning picture: senior management and a vice-chancellor who dismisses victims, excuses deeply troubling associations, elevates a personal friend despite clear reputational risks, and operates under a cloud of potential conflicts of interest. The University of Huddersfield is clearly happy to operate without integrity or accountability.

I believe Bob Cryan is not fit to serve as Vice-Chancellor. He should be removed from his position without delay and a full investigation should be launched into the benefits, honours, and professional advancement he has received in connection with his relationship with Prince Andrew. Where appropriate, those benefits should be repaid.

Bob Cryan and his senior management team including Deputy VC Tim Thornton have supported Prince Andrew despite calls for him to step down after his widely criticised BBC interview in 2019. In the interview, the Duke of York discussed his friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. More recent investigation files have suggested that many of his statements were untrue.

The University of Huddersfield said they would not ask him to resign. The university added:

“In relation to the allegations, The Palace has previously issued an emphatic denial and this was reiterated in the BBC interview with The Duke of York and we have nothing further to add.”

The credibility of the University of Huddersfield, and the standards expected of public, demand nothing less.