Brendan Foster CBE, the chancellor of Leeds Metropolitan University, has resigned. The move follows the resignation of the university¡¯s vice-chancellor Simon Lee earlier this month.

Mr Foster told Times Higher Education: ¡°I wish the university every success, as I¡¯ve said in my resignation letter. Since the chairman of the governors and the vice-chancellor who invited me on board have now gone, it seems it¡¯s time to hand over to a new regime.¡±

His resignation will be formally communicated to the university¡¯s board of governors at a meeting this afternoon.

Times Higher Education understands that Mr Foster sent a letter to the chairman of governors Ninian Watt on 12 January 2009 ¨C two days before the announcement of Professor Lee¡¯s resignation ¨C in which the chancellor warned of his intention to relinquish his position.

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At the meeting this afternoon, governors will also discuss the circumstances surrounding Professor Lee¡¯s departure. A public statement is expected in light of this meeting.

Speculation about Professor Lee¡¯s departure has centred on a disagreement between him and Mr Watt about what was agreed with regard to tuition fees policy at a governors¡¯ meeting in July 2008.

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It is understood that Professor Lee wanted to maintain the university¡¯s policy of charging a discounted undergraduate tuition fee of ?2,000 a year, while some on the board wanted to increase it.

melanie.newman@tsleducation.com