THE head of a Scottish college has stepped down after allegations of bullying and harassment by staff.
A statement from the board of governors of Adam Smith College, in Fife, said Dr Craig Thomson had decided to "resign and retire" immediately.
Dr Thomson was suspended this year after a number of serious allegations of bullying and harassment which led to an independent inquiry by the Scottish Funding Council and an internal probe.
The investigations centred on claims about the treatment of staff and alleged mismanagement by Dr Thomson and other senior members of staff.
They are also looking at the processes and procedures for dealing with complaints at all levels.
Dr Thomson had denied suggestions of wrongdoing amid claims a bullying culture had been allowed to develop at the Kirkcaldy-based college. He has also rejected allegations that a report into the bullying claims had been buried.
However, members of the Educational Institute of Scotland passed a motion of no confidence in the college management and the student association backed calls for the principal to resign.
Mark Goldsmith, chairman of the board of governors, pledged disruption to the normal work of the college will be kept "to an absolute minimum".
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