AN ELECTION candidate has claimed that the University of South Wales is facing an official investigation over its refusal to share information about its plans to close the Caerleon campus.

Paul Halliday, who is the Welsh Liberal Democrat candidate for Newport East, said he asked the university for the papers that informed their decision to close the campus but said the university took 77 working days to respond with a refusal to share the information he had requested.

Mr Halliday claimed the Information Commissioner is now investigating both the 77-day delay and the failure to provide information, which Mr Halliday described as being in the public interest, in relation to the closure of the campus.

Mr Halliday said: “Requests under the Freedom of Information Act have to receive a reply within 20 working days.”

He added: “The university needs to provide the document that the decision to close Caerleon was based on so that we can know if the decision was based on accurate information or not.”

But a spokesman for the University of South Wales said: “As well as meeting both elected representatives and the local community to discuss our plans to concentrate future investment and growth in the flagship Newport city campus, the university has made available over 1,000 pages of complex and detailed information in response to FOI requests.

“USW competes with other universities in Wales and across the border for the students on which every university’s income depends, in a very tough market.

“We have withheld only a much smaller amount of very sensitive information, which would hand our competitors data that would be of benefit to them, as it would provide them with a valuable understanding of the university’s future plans.

“This case is entirely within the letter and spirit of the law, and in the best interests of both Newport and its university.

“It’s for political candidates to choose their own words in an election season, but The university is getting on with the important business of supporting, recruiting, and retaining students in Newport as we play our part in the city’s regeneration.

“We will of course be happy to discuss any aspect of procedures with the ICO if asked to.”

The Argus tried to contact the Information Commissioner but no-one was available to comment.