Aberdeen University rector Maggie Chapman is facing calls to stand down as co-leader of the Scottish Greens amid a row over her student past.
A senior member of the party in the north-east quit last night after accusing Ms Chapman of being “caught out” over her university qualifications.
Ms Chapman is one of the party’s north-east candidates for May’s Holyrood elections, and was appointed rector of Aberdeen University earlier this year.
But questions have been asked after it emerged she did not hold the doctorate in geography from Edinburgh University mentioned in her biog on the Scottish Greens’ website.
It is understood she left the course in 2009, and did not re-register, and also continued paying the student party membership rate – although this has since been “rectified”.
Ms Chapman has since said the false claims were the result of an error on her party’s website, which was then repeated on the Aberdeen University site.
But in a post on a social media website in 2014 – five years after she left the course – Ms Chapman said she was planning to “finish writing it up” but “things keep getting in the way”.
Last night, Rhonda Reekie – who was convener of the Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire branches of the party between 2007-10 – questioned her integrity and quit the party, after being a member for more than a decade.
She said: “Even if this was by some miracle, an error, then she’s incompetent.
“Are you telling me that since 2009 she’s never noticed this error? She’s not fit to stand for the Greens in the north-east.”
The Scottish Greens have said the information about Ms Chapman’s qualification was the result of an “administrative error” on their website, which has since been corrected.
Aberdeen University has also amended its biography of the rector on their website and previous press releases.
However, in the website’s amended coverage of her formal installation as rector in March, it is stated Ms Chapman is “working towards a PhD”.
Ms Chapman, and her co-convener Patrick Harvie, could not be reached for comment.
But Aberdeenshire’s only Green councillor Martin Ford – who is also standing in the Holyrood election – said: “I hope Maggie will do the right thing and resign.”
The Press and Journal understands a party meeting will take place later today where members will address Ms Chapman’s comments.
