Uni boss steps down from £250,000 job after ‘harassing ex-wife’s lover with sexist, racist and ageist emails’
The emails included Professor John Hughes allegedly boasting about his new younger partner
A UNIVERSITY vice chancellor paid £257,000 a year has resigned after emails allegedly taunting his ex-wife's new lover were circulated among staff.
Bangor University's Professor John Hughes, 65, has been accused of harassment, ageism, sexism and racism by his former partner.
He was due to leave the north Wales university next summer, but will instead be gone within days.
His sudden exit, after eight years in charge, comes after emails about his private life were reportedly forwarded to staff for the second time in two years.
They were initially forwarded to the university by his ex-wife, Dr Xinyu Wu, in 2016, according to .
Professor Hughes hit back at the allegations, claiming they were "doctored".
Dr Wu was Bangor University's director of international development from 2011 to 2015.
BBC Wales says it had seen emails Dr Wu forwarded to members of the university's council and senior leadership in 2016.
One of the emails to Dr Wu's new partner apparently reads: "Well done mate. I had her youth and beauty, you will have her menopause and her old age (have you seen how Chinese women age!)."
Another sent to Dr Wu herself showed a picture of him with his new partner with the message: "10 years younger than you".
Dr Wu, who now lives in the US, told BBC Wales the messages sent to her and her new husband were "not only harassment but they were ageist, sexist and racist".
After receiving the emails in 2016, Dr Wu complained to the university about his behaviour, writing: "Could someone please stop your Vice Chancellor from repeatedly harassing us and damaging the university."
Professor Hughes is understood to have emailed staff last Monday after the emails surfaced recently.
The mathematician and theoretical physician apologised for any 'distress or unease' caused, adding: 'This morning, some of you received an email purporting to relate to my private life.
'The messages attached to this email dating from 2016 have been doctored and, whilst I do not want to go into details regarding a very personal matter, I wanted to assure you that the messages are not what they seem."
Bangor University's spokeswoman said the university has faced several challenges and needs leadership in place that could manage any changes in the long term.
She said: "As a result, Professor Hughes has agreed to step aside sooner than announced, and will be leaving at the end of December."
Professor Hughes was criticised by students two years ago for his luxury grace-and-favour residence, which has cost the university £750,000.
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