HE is a university drop-out who spent 18 years in prison for treason.

However, Mordechai Vanunu, perhaps the world's most famous whistleblower, wants to represent Glasgow University students.

The man who revealed the secrets of Israel's nuclear programme is to stand for the post of rector.

If chosen by students in next month's elections, Vanunu will join a distinguished line of rectors which includes William Gladstone, Benjamin Disraeli and Winnie Mandela.

The rector is expected to be the voice of students on the university court, something that might be difficult for Mr Vanunu, who is not allowed to leave Israel.

Many rectors work to raise the profile of the university and student issues. The post was held most recently by Greg Hemphill, the comedian and actor, who stood down in February.

Speaking from the Anglican church in east Jerusalem where he now lives, Mr Vanunu, who is under instruction not to speak to foreign journalists, said he would be delighted to be elected as Glasgow's rector. Mr Vanunu told The Herald: ''I think if they can give me this honour we will have the opportunity to help my cause and in turn I would like to help Glasgow.

''I know of Glasgow from what my friends and supporters have written to me.''

When asked if he was concerned about his distance from the university, he continued: ''No, I am not worried about that at all.''

Michael Napier, from the Scottish Palestine Solidarity Society, suggested that Mr Vanunu should run.

Mr Napier confirmed that student representatives would present the nomination to a meeting of the university's nominations committee to-morrow.

It will then be up to the committee to draw up a shortlist.

Mr Napier said: ''This is a way to bring the case for the abolition of weapons of mass destruction across the Middle East to a wider audience of Glasgow University students.

''There is a tradition here (of electing rectors who live abroad) which we hope to build on, and I think Glasgow University students are keen to build on it.''

During the 1980s, Vanunu gave photographs and papers of a secret Israeli weapons programme in the Dimona nuclear plant to the Sunday Times.

He was then kidnapped by Mossad and taken to Israel for a secret trial and served an 18-year prison sentence for treason.

During his trial, Mr Vanunu described himself as a good student. However, he did not finish his university studies.

He said: ''I completed the first year with a sense of failure, and although they told me that I had been accepted for engineering school, I decided to stop my studies. I wanted to go away, far away, to get a job and to concentrate on myself.''

His prison sentence ended in April this year. Since then, Mr Vanunu has been re-arrested and accused of disclosing classified information and of breaching restrictions set on associating with foreigners.

If elected, Mr Vanunu will not be the first international or controversial figure to occupy the post of rector.

Previous rectors have included Winnie Mandela, former wife of Nelson Mandela, chief Albert Luthuli, Africa's first winner of the Nobel Prize for Peace and president of the ANC and Jimmy Reid, the 1970s trade union activist.

Julianna Napier, of Glasgow University Palestine Solidarity Society, said she hoped that, if elected, Mr Vanunu would be able to visit Glasgow.

She said: ''I think it would look good for the university if he were elected. I hope he will be able to come to Glasgow and share some of his experiences which would be useful to students.

''Hopefully if he is successful, it will put pressure on the Israeli authorities to, at last, let him leave the country.''

The Guardian, the university newspaper, is also said to be backing his nomination.

Last night, Sir Muir Russell, the university principal, said he would not comment on Mr Vanunu's plan to stand.

He said: ''I do not want to comment on any individual nomination. But I do want a rector that will be able to represent the interests of the student body to the university court.

''I would also like to see a good range of candidates and a good election.''

Former rectors at Glasgow university

2000-: Greg Hemphill, left, the comedian.

1999-00: Ross Kemp, the actor (resigned 7/11/2000).

1996-99: Richard Wilson,actor.

1993-96: Johnny Ball, the television presenter.

1990-93: Pat Kane, the musician and writer.

1987-90: Winnie Mandela, the South African political activist.

1984-87: Michael Kelly, former lord provost of Glasgow.

1980-84: Reginald Bosanquet, the newsreader.

1977-80: John Bell, Glasgow's first and only student rector and now a prominent member of the Iona Community.

1974-77: Arthur Montford, the sports commentator.

1971-74: Jimmy Reid, the trades union activist.