A UNIVERSITY lecturer accused of being behind a 'defamatory' pamphlet campaign has been suspended.

Gary Duke is Salford University's branch secretary of the University and College Union. He has been fighting 150 job losses.

The M.E.N has learned Mr Duke, who teaches sociology and international studies, was suspended by email on Tuesday.

The university says he is alleged to have produced and distributed pamphlets 'that viciously attack a female student of an ethnic minority and a head of school'.

It says his suspension is a precautionary act because of the seriousness of the allegations.

It is understood Mr Duke has been advised not to speak about his suspension, but he denies involvement in the campaign and union colleagues have condemned the way he has been treated.

The spoof literature is understood to have emerged from Salford business school. One pamphlet referred to staff as 'plebs' and said: "I hope the threat of the dole queue did not entirely spoil your Christmas dinner and festivities. Mine certainly exceeded all expectations of luxury."

In a memo to staff, Salford vice-chancellor Michael Harloe said the pamphlets could amount to gross misconduct and lead to dismissal.

A spokesman for the university said: "The content of these posters is sexist, deeply offensive and defamatory.

"His suspension is purely a precautionary act owing to the severity of the allegations and to allow an investigation to proceed unimpeded.

"The likelihood of his suspension was reported in the media stating that this was probably as a consequence of his involvement in a campaign against staffing reductions at the university.

"This is not the case. He has been suspended owing to allegations that he is responsible for producing and disseminating posters that attack these two people. The vice-chancellor had already written to staff indicating that this kind of behaviour could amount to gross misconduct and lead to dismissal.

"Though it is university policy not to comment on current disciplinary matters, owing to this issue having been reported in the press already it is felt necessary to issue a statement on this matter for the avoidance of any doubt."