The University of Technology (UTech) Council is this week expected to apologise to the members of the internal audit unit, who were sent on leave after they were accused of leaking a report to the media.

The report outlined concerns by the university's internal auditors about procedural breaches in contract-related payments made to president, Professor Errol Morrison. The public disclosure of the contents of the report had resulted in death threats to Morrison.

Danny Roberts, deputy island supervisor for the National Workers' Union which represents the auditors, told The Gleaner yesterday that the union was working in conjunction with UTech's administration to issue a statement.

Exoneration

Roberts said the investigations into the alleged breach have been completed and the council needs to publicly state that the auditors have been exonerated.

"Because UTech has a duty of care to its employees, it is to apologise clearly to the employees," said Roberts.

The members of the audit department were sent on leave in January.

In a paid statement appearing in The Sunday Gleaner on February 3, the University of Technology (UTech) Council said: "Owing to the progress in the investigations, members of the audit unit have been asked to report to work on Monday, February 4, 2008."

The council said further that the action of sending the audit staff on leave "was not intended to impute any guilt to the individuals ... "

Meanwhile, Roberts said the employees have been physically present at work since February 4, but have not resumed duties.

He noted that they were expected to resume full duties this week, provided that some logistics were ironed out.

UTech has been embroiled in controversy since Dr Blossom O'Meally-Nelson was asked by Education Minister Andrew Holness to resign her position as pro-chancellor. Former Prime Minister Edward Seaga was recently appointed pro-chancellor of the institution, which is this year celebrating its 50th anniversary.