Fife MSP David Torrance hopes people will be held accountable for management shortcomings at Adam Smith College as a damning report is set to go before politicians.
The Auditor General for Scotland’s report, citing “significant failures in corporate governance and financial stewardship” at the former college is expected to be aired by the Scottish Parliament’s public audit committee early next month.
As reported by The Courier in June, the college had to repay £5.5 million worth of European Union grants and has set aside a further £1.2m for other grants that may have to be returned.
Mr Torrace said: “When I first started raising concerns at Adam Smith College about its previous management I did not think this would go on so long or into such depth.”
However, the body has since merged with Carnegie College to form Fife College, and Mr Torrance voiced confidence in the new board and principal Hugh Logan.
He said: “They have had a really difficult job coming in with all this hanging over them, but the college can move forward now.”
Internal and external investigations were launched in response to whistleblower allegations in 2011-12 of bullying and mismanagement.
It was found that Adam Smith College had submitted claims to funding bodies that were inaccurate, unsupported by evidence and overstated since at least 2007.
Significant irregularities in claims for staff and other costs were also found.
As a result of the investigations, the principal, board chairman, secretary and two other board members resigned, and three senior managers went on paid leave.
Several months later the acting principal was suspended, and at the beginning of this year three members of staff were suspended. Allegations of misuse of grants remain under investigation by police.
Fife Council education spokesman Councillor Bryan Poole is a member of the new board and said: “I’m sure lessons will be learned from the experiences of the past few years.
“I will have a shared responsibility in ensuring we put in place the best possible governance arrangements.
“Certainly, from an education, learning and training perspective, it is my view there are exciting opportunities ahead.”
Fife College said the report was a “summation of well-publicised and known events at Adam Smith College”.
A spokeswoman said the new board of governors and principal of Fife College were satisfied appropriate measures were taken by Adam Smith College to address the shortcomings.
She added: “The report highlights that positive steps were taken by the board of governors at Adam Smith College to address the findings of the external audit.
“Fife College’s key aim is to continue to provide a quality learning and teaching environment for all our staff and students and recognises the importance of continuing to monitor, evaluate and drive forward the recommendations made by Audit Scotland.”
Police Scotland’s organised crime and counter terrorism unit said its inquiry into allegations of misuse of European Union grants at the former college was continuing and that when completed a report would be submitted to the procurator fiscal.