He is one of three people held as the probe continues

A former Doncaster College boss arrested over allegations of a £1 million fraud at a top UK university has been sacked.

Prof George Holmes's contract at the Bolton-based University of Greater Manchester was "ended by the governing body” last week," the university said.

The 65-year-old, had been in post for 20 years,

Earlier this year three people were arrested in raids at five properties as part of an investigation into alleged financial irregularities at the university.

The arrests followed raids on two properties in Bolton, one in Lancashire, one in Humberside and one in West Yorkshire, Greater Manchester Police said.

In May 2025, Prof Holmes, a former principal at Doncaster College and who was implicated in a financial scandal during his time in the city, was suspended as vice-chancellor of the University of Greater Manchester following “serious allegations.”

In the early 2000s he was principal of Doncaster College and was tasked with leading the £90m Doncaster Education City project, which aimed to create a university campus in the city and at the time was Britain’s biggest education project.

New governers were later installed at the college after concerns were raised about its finances. after a £1.8 million deficit was reported, coupled with 135 job cuts, with plans for five intended community campuses scrapped.

Amid the crisis, it emerged Prof Holmes had been given a £45,000 BMW with the personalised number plate CEO 4 DEC.