I lost support of NCU board - Thompson

The former president of Northern Caribbean University (NCU) Dr Herbert Thompson has blamed the lack of support from the institution's board of directors for his sudden resignation.

Singling out NCU board Chairman Everette Brown, Thompson said in the days after he was re-appointed president of the university last December, he no longer felt he had Brown's support.

Thompson charged that Brown informed him shortly after taking over in November last year that the board had taken a decision that new leadership was needed at NCU.

"I have no wish to continue in such a critical position without the unconditional support of the board and its chairman," he said in a statement released yesterday.

"In order to be effective, the president must be supported by the board and the chairman. With changes to the board (in November last year), I have perceived the loss of such support," he continued.

Accordingly, Thompson said, he tendered his resignation when it became evident that support was not forthcoming.

Attempts to get a comment from Brown were unsuccessful.

In a surprise move announced on June 13, Thompson ended his 20-year tenure as NCU president.

He said his resignation triggered accusations of fraud and tax evasion against him, claims he also dismissed.

Thompson said the accusations were based on concerns raised in a 2008 audit of NCU.

However, he said those concerns were addressed in the management response to the audit report.

In addition, he said there were unfounded accusations that he had breached the rules by holding a second full-time job as a member of the Electoral Commission of Jamaica (ECJ).

"That was also plainly false, as that position is not a full-time employment and my duties on the ECJ in no way interfered with the discharge of my duties as NCU president," he argued.

Thompson charged that his decision to resign was to "ensure the security and preservation of myself and my family."

He added: "It is safe to say that the last six-month period has been the worst time of my life and the conspiracy to destroy me continues."