Two men arrested in connection with an investigation into alleged financial irregularities worth £1 million at the University of Greater Manchester have been released on bail, police have confirmed.
Officers made the arrests during raids in Bolton and South Yorkshire on Wednesday morning (November 4). The warrants were carried out as part of an investigation into allegations of bribery and fraud at the university, which was renamed from the University of Bolton in December, covering the period between 2014 and 2025.
Arrests and Bail
A man in his 50s was arrested on suspicion of witness intimidation, perverting the course of justice and fraud by abuse of position. Another man, aged in his 60s, was arrested on suspicion of witness intimidation, perverting the course of justice and fraud by false representation, Greater Manchester Police said.
In an update issued today (Thursday), a GMP spokesperson said both had since been released on bail as enquiries continue.
Investigation Background
Greater Manchester Police's Major Incident Team opened the fraud and bribery investigation a year ago after an investigation by independent publication Manchester Mill into the university. A subsequent report was then published from Price Waterhouse Cooper (PWC), commissioned by the university's Fraud Response Panel.
Detectives have been making painstaking enquiries since, with three arrests also previously made in July. Detectives said they are exploring evidence indicating over £1 million's worth of fraudulent activity. Around 60 transactions are being probed as well as more than a million emails.
Police Statement
Yesterday, Detective Inspector Matthew Donnelly from GMP's Economic and Cyber Crime Unit said: "This remains a complex and extensive investigation into allegations of fraud, bribery and financial misconduct at the University of Greater Manchester. The offences for which these individuals have been arrested on suspicion of are serious and include allegations of fraud, witness intimidation, perverting the course of justice and money laundering.
"Any actions that seek to interfere with, influence or undermine the integrity of a police investigation will not be tolerated. This is a complex and significant investigation involving serious allegations, and it is essential that witnesses are able to engage with us, and evidence can be gathered without fear, pressure or interference.
"Over the past year, detectives have carried out a significant volume of enquiries to carefully assess and independently verify the information available to us. We have been working closely with specialist partners, including the Crown Prosecution Service's Serious Economic Crime team. I would urge anyone who has information which may assist our investigation to come forward and speak to us."
