Two Derby pictures

Tom Wilson does not seem to have grasped the issues (Letters, THES, August 25 and September 1). I accept that the University of Derby "invited" the Quality Assurance Agency to investigate Natfhe's allegations. But only after the government intervened and forwarded the allegations to the QAA and asked it for a view.

The QAA would have been wise then to disqualify itself as an investigating body and agree to give evidence to a truly independent inquiry, which Derby should have set up.

Wilson mentions critical QAA remarks this year about Derby's link with Inter College. These refer to events prior to the 1998 audit of this link. Wilson needs to ask why the 1998 audit - which included a site visit in Israel - did not tease out these alleged weaknesses. Which report - 1998 or 2000 - paints the truer picture?

Geoffrey Alderman Former pro vice-chancellor Middlesex University