A UNIVERSITY principal at the centre of a secrecy row over payments from a private company already receives extra money from two other businesses, it has emerged.

According to his register of interests, Sir Jim McDonald, the principal of Strathclyde University in Glasgow, has paid posts with both the Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult company and Scottish Power Energy Networks Holdings Ltd - although the accounts do not specify how much he receives.

Financial statements from Scottish Enterprise also show he received £12,581 in the past financial year as remuneration for his work as a board member there.

On Wednesday Sir Jim was criticised after the ­institution refused to say whether he will pick up a £55,000 salary from an engineering company next year.

Sir Jim, who earns a salary package of £303,000 from Strathclyde, is eligible for the extra money after being appointed as a non-executive director to the Glasgow-based Weir Group.

Mary Senior, Scotland official for the UCU union, said: "While we welcome links between our universities and business, Strathclyde must be transparent and make clear whether Sir Jim is drawing an outside income in addition to his salary."

Gordon Maloney, president of NUS Scotland, also called for greater transparency.

A university spokeswoman said: "We welcome staff taking up appointments as it enables the university to stay connected to business, for the benefit of the economy and academic advancement."