FORMER UK ambassador to Uzbekistan Craig Murray emerged as the new rector of Dundee University last night with a promise to form a coalition to get to the bottom of threatened job and course cuts.

After a closely-fought battle with former Scotland rugby captain Andy Nicol, Mr Murray clinched victory by a margin of 630 to 580, attracting a 50% increase in votes on the last election.

As Mr Murray prepared to enjoy a “few pints of heavy” with students, he admitted he believed the increased turnout had been provoked by the recent furore surrounding the university’s budget deficit and threatened cuts.

Mr Murray told The Courier that he believed budget deficits were being “over-hyped.”

He said, “I don’t think the university has a real financial crisis. It seems there is no need for these cuts, and I believe the reason they are being pursued is part of an agenda rather than financial prudence.

“I am very worried about the university’s desire to cut staff and cut the languages department.

“I’m not at all sure the financial situation justifies it. I have been studying the figures and we do not need job losses, and certainly not in courses where the university interacts with the community, such as with modern languages.”

Mr Murray suggested excessive amounts of money had been spent on unneeded layers of bureaucracy and administration.

He said he also believed large outlays on building programmes distorted the financial situation.

In a bid to address the situation and aided by his new position—the third most powerful on campus— Mr Murray said he would be seeking to build a coalition in the university court.

He said, “I think a lot of people are very worried about the situation and if I can be a rallying point and form a coalition with other board members and interested parties then maybe we could have a proper democratic debate about the best way forward.”

Mr Murray said he hoped to visit 10 to 12 times for periods of two to three days over the course of the academic year.

He added, “I’m going to be spending a lot of time in Scotland because I’m writing two books at the moment, which both require I spend a lot of time here researching the two subjects.”

Students’ association president Steven Blane said, “There’s been a real buzz around the campuses all day with both candidates taking the time to speak to students.”