Simon Gaskell admits that the capability of individual academics was assessed under a restructuring exercise, in contradiction of Section 139 of the Employment Rights Act 1996. Adding to this insult, a number of professors who failed to meet "objective" criteria remain unscathed, as previously reported for the head of the School of Biological and Chemical Sciences (The Lancet, 12 May).
Queen Mary is currently seeking to recruit a lecturer in cell and molecular biology, which was the post I held until 29 June and from which I was dismissed by reason of redundancy ("Metrics critic's marching orders", News, 5 July). It is time for the council or the vice-chancellor of the University of London to intervene and force a change in leadership at Queen Mary. Otherwise, future generations will learn by example that those who disrespect academic integrity are rewarded with university title and published fanfare in the academic press.
Fanis Missirlis, Research professor, Center for Research and Advanced Studies of the National Polytechnic Institute, Mexico City