Bolton University yesterday threw out two gross misconduct appeals brought by two sacked employees.

Active trade unionist Damien Markey, a senior film and TV lecturer, and his wife Jennifer, an administrator, were sacked after stories about the spending habits of the university vice-chancellor appeared in national newspapers.

Papers have since confirmed the couple were not the source of their stories.

In its statement, the university failed to provide details of the case or why the appeals had been unsuccessful.

University and College Union (UCU) said it will be instructing its lawyers to take up the case.

UCU regional official Martyn Moss said: “The way Bolton University has treated the Markeys has been disgraceful from the very start.

“Sneaking the news of their unsuccessful appeals out at 5pm on election day is pretty low though.”