In a move that has shocked absolutely no one who has been paying attention, the University of Greater Manchester has terminated the contract of its embattled vice-chancellor, Sir George Holmes. The university's governing body made the decision on Wednesday, ending a period of uncertainty that has been hanging over the institution like a particularly persistent rain cloud.

Holmes, who had been at the helm for two decades, was suspended last May over allegations involving financial mismanagement and other misconduct. The suspension came after an external investigation commissioned by the university, and the subsequent revelations from Manchester's the Mill, which published a series of investigations detailing whistleblower allegations of bullying, racism, and fraud.

An email to staff bluntly stated: "Dr George Holmes's contract as vice-chancellor has been ended by the governing body of the university. Dr Holmes is therefore no longer an employee of the university." Because when you're showing someone the door, brevity is key.

Phil Brickell, the MP for Bolton West, who had been calling for a resolution, welcomed the development with the enthusiasm of someone who has been waiting for this exact moment. "Now that we know that George Holmes is no longer the vice-chancellor of the university," he said, "it is vital that the institution focuses on restoring confidence, ensuring strong governance, and maintaining its commitment to students, staff and the wider community." He also noted that there is an ongoing police investigation, but once concluded, the university should "draw a line under this affair" and move forward with "stability, transparency and a clear focus on educational excellence." Basically, the educational equivalent of 'please stop embarrassing us.'

The university confirmed that acting vice-chancellor Greg Walker will remain in place, and the governing body will "meet in due course to consider the process and timelines for appointing a permanent head of the institution." So there's still a bit of a leadership vacuum, but at least it's a vacuum without Holmes in it.

Meanwhile, the police investigation continues. Greater Manchester police have been looking into "suspected fraud and bribery" related to the case, searching seven properties in Greater Manchester and the south of England. In July, three people were arrested as part of the investigation, with GMP exploring evidence of over £1m in fraudulent activity between 2014 and 2025, involving 60 transactions and more than a million emails. Because if you're going to commit fraud, apparently you do it with the thoroughness of a dissertation.

Two men in their 60s and a woman in her 50s were arrested on suspicion of money laundering, with the men also facing fraud and one facing bribery charges. They've all been released on bail without being charged, which is presumably a relief to them and a frustration to anyone hoping for a tidy ending.

So, the university is moving on, the police are still digging, and the staff and students of the University of Greater Manchester can finally breathe a sigh of relief. Or at least, they can breathe a sigh of relief that this particular chapter is over. The next chapter might be about who gets to be the permanent vice-chancellor, and whether they can manage to avoid the whole 'fraud and bribery' thing.