Todd Fitzgerald

The University of Greater Manchester has ended Vice Chancellor George Holmes’s contract after he was suspended during an investigation into serious allegations. PwC was appointed to conduct an independent inquiry after allegations raised by MP Phil Brickell in Parliament. Greater Manchester Police is separately investigating suspected fraud, bribery and money laundering, including more than £1 million in suspected fraudulent activity and around 60 transactions. Two men and a woman were arrested and later bailed. Greg Walker remains acting vice chancellor while the university’s governing body considers the process for appointing a permanent successor.

Ricky Swindells, a 28-year-old autistic man, died in hospital after Greater Manchester Police officers handcuffed and restrained him during a welfare-related 999 response in Salford. The IOPC is investigating whether the restraint was necessary and proportionate, as well as the wider police response and medical intervention. GMP said officers were told Swindells had been violent and was a potential risk to himself, while his family disputes that account and says he was in significant distress and needed care and safeguarding. A post-mortem was inconclusive, with toxicology and other forensic tests ongoing, alongside a separate coronial investigation.