Space boffin accused of covering up for a ‘sex pest’ colleague loses his bid to sue female scientist for libel
Professor Carole Mundell blew the whistle on claims a colleague sexually assaulted female PhD students
AN astrophysics professor accused of covering up for an alleged sex pest colleague has lost his bid to sue another top space researcher for libel.
Professor Carole Mundell had been facing an expensive High Court trial after she blew the whistle on claims a colleague at Liverpool John Moores University sexually assaulted female PhD students.
She accused Professor Mike Bode, her former boss at LJMU’s Astrophysics Research Institute, of helping alleged predator Dr Chris Simpson move to a new job while he was being investigated over the allegations.
The Institute had been aware of complaints about Dr Simpson’s behaviour from as far back as 2008 but only began to investigate six years later, a judge was told.
Prof Bode was then said to have written a "glowing reference" for Dr Simpson, allowing him to take up a top job at a radio-telescope project in South Africa.
Prof Mundell - who is now head of astrophysics at the University of Bath – then contacted the Square Kilometre Array team alerting them to what she believed was a "cover-up" by LJMU and Prof Bode.
She wrote: "I believe (Dr Simpson) has been given an academic reference from the head of the department with no mention of character or conduct.
"Simpson’s misconduct is becoming known more widely in some circles... However, it is clear LJMU has worked hard to maintain silence such that even fellow academics within my institute do not know why he has resigned."
Her actions prompted Prof Bode to launch claims of libel and slander against her at the High Court in London.
But on Thursday judge Mr Justice Warby threw out Professor Bode’s case, .
The judge said: "I see no real prospect that the claimant would succeed in establishing that the publication of the alleged libel caused any substantial let alone serious harm to his reputation."
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He said her claims had been seen by "at most" eight people in South Africa and only a "handful more in the UK", adding: "There is no reason to allow the case to proceed if, as I conclude, it would be bound to fail."
The judge made no findings on the truth of sexual allegations against Dr Simpson or on Prof Mundell's accusations of a cover-up by Prof Bode and the university management.
Prof Bode said he would appeal against the court’s decision.
Dr Simpson, who is now working at the Gemini Observatory in Hawaii, said: "I am sure my disappointment at Mr Justice Warby’s ruling is shared by all members of the Astrophysics Research Institute who had to endure Professor Mundell’s unpleasant behaviour.
"There is not a shred of evidence to support any of the allegations made against me and I refute them entirely."
Prof Mundell, who has appeared on BBC Breakfast and BBC Radio 4, has previously spoken publicly about the "hostile workplace cultures" faced by women scientists.
Her representative said it would be inappropriate to comment on the court ruling.
Solicitors acting for Liverpool John Moores University said: "LJMU takes the safety and well-being of its staff very seriously.
"It has robust and well-publicised anti-bullying and harassment, whistleblowing, discipline and grievance procedures in place which ensure that students and staff know how to raise concerns, which can be investigated and addressed promptly and effectively."
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