Poor relations

The public relations department at University College London must have been sorely tempted to turn on its master following a recent restructuring shock from provost Sir Derek Roberts.

Sir Derek's decision to close the external affairs department, incorporating the PR department, followed the resignation of the head of external affairs earlier this month. It is understood that, while all staff in the department have been offered jobs elsewhere in the college, a number feel that their restructured positions are untenable.

One college manager has admitted that "things could have been handled better".