See more Daily Mail on Google - save us as a Preferred SourceBy JAMES TOZER, NORTHERN CORRESPONDENT and KIM PILLING Published: 14:21 BST, 8 July 2026 | Updated: 15:09 BST, 8 July 2026
Three people have been arrested on suspicion of money laundering as part of an investigation into alleged financial irregularities at a university.Detectives say the probe involving the Bolton-based University of Greater Manchester is looking at potential fraudulent activity totalling more than £1million.Properties were raided today in Bolton, Humberside, West Yorkshire and Lancashire as two men in their 60s and a woman in her 50s were detained.Both men are also being questioned on suspicion of fraud, with one of them additionally held on suspicion of bribery.The inquiry by Greater Manchester Police’s major incident team was launched last year after an investigation by online newspaper The Mill into allegations of racism, financial misconduct and bullying.Subsequently a report from accounting firm Pricewaterhouse Cooper commissioned by the university’s fraud response panel was passed to police.In July 2025 officers raided seven homes across the country as part of their investigation to allow detectives to 'seize as much evidence as possible', but until today no one had been arrested.The Office for Students, which regulates higher education in England, has also been 'looking into' the claims, Commons leader Lucy Powell told MPs in 2025. The University of Greater Manchester - which is the focus of a police investigation into alleged fraudulent activity totalling more than £1million - was known as the University of Bolton until 2024.The university, which has about 900 staff, was known as the University of Bolton until a name change was announced in December 2024.It has around 11,000 students.Today Assistant Chief Constable Rick Jackson said: 'This is a key development in this significant and complex investigation which is seeing our detectives conduct painstaking work.'We are following every line of inquiry to ensure we are in a position to compile the strongest possible evidence for a potential prosecution.'The investigation has become an even more complex picture since the allegations were first brought to our attention a year ago. We are ensuring that we have targeted phases focusing on each of the separate elements so that each strand is progressed methodically and thoroughly.'The action today relates to one key strand of that investigation, and we are working closely with the Crown Prosecution Service with a view to providing an initial file of evidence for their advice before the end of the year.'We don’t lose sight of the fact that at the heart of this are students whose university experience has been impacted by money that should’ve been invested in their education instead allegedly being used for personal gain.'We are continuing to engage with all relevant parties so that all necessary action can be taken in relation to any suspected criminality and to support those at the University potentially impacted by this case.'Detectives are said to be analysing around 60 transactions and investigating more than a million emails.In response the university said it had 'co-operated fully' with the police investigation and would continue to do so.In a statement it said: 'The university continues to be focused on the delivery of excellent teaching and learning to students in accordance with its mission - the operation of the institution continues as normal.'In May 2025 the university's vice-chancellor Professor George Holmes was suspended along with two senior members of staff.
