College official quits over cheating claims

International students at Rayat London College in Hounslow, west London, were helped to cheat their way on to courses to gain visas and degrees accredited by the University of Wales, an investigation by BBC Wales claimed.

Irvin Harris, the college’s registrar, denies any wrongdoing but was suspended by the college on Monday and has now resigned, a spokesman for the college said yesterday.

Three other members of staff have also been suspended pending an internal investigation.

The college spokesman added that the allegations had been referred to Scotland Yard and the UK Border Agency.

A University of Wales spokesman added that it had also referred information “concerning potential criminal offences apparently involving staff at private colleges outside Wales to South Wales Police”.

“The information includes allegations that overseas students have been helped to cheat their way on to programmes of study and to mislead educational establishments, including the University of Wales.”