In the case of Dr Oliveira, the 21 Group awaits the outcome of the Disciplinary Hearing against him held on 13 April 2026.
After being mistreated in the School of Physical Sciences, Dr Oliveira refused to be silent. The University of Cambridge are now arguing that Dr Oliveira is being “unreasonably persistent“. Yet history reminds us that those involved in the Post Office scandal were once dismissed in similar terms — only to be later completely vindicated.
Having looked at the evidence, the 21 Group believes Dr Oliveira — like the sub postmasters — has a very strong case.
We reproduce below a letter sent on 5 July 2025 by Professor Wyn Evans to the Pro-Vice-Chancellors and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Deborah Prentice
Dear Pro-Vice Chancellors, Vice Chancellor,
The way the Human Resources Division is being mismanaged in Cambridge University is producing a very large number of victims. Unsurprisingly, the victims are not going to shut up and go away, no matter how much you may wish it
It is of course far better to resolve these matters internally and fairly. If there is no redress internally, then of course victims will pursue the matters externally, leading to much greater costs, stress, publicity & reputational damage.
In Dr Oliveira’s case, he wishes to raise a Grievance against [REDACTED], an HR Business Partner. This is being blocked. As a matter of justice, law and ethics, his Grievance should at least be heard.
I, and 3 other people at the Institute of Astronomy, have repeatedly tried to raise a Grievance against the same individual, but it has also repeatedly been blocked for spurious and untrue reasons.
Malpractice among some members of the HR department is now seriously harming the University’s core mission of teaching and research.
This should be a matter of gravest concern to all the pro-Vice Chancellors — and the Vice Chancellor.
Best Wishes
Prof Wyn Evans
After the Simon Goldhill Affair, another major controversy — this time involving the handling of Dr Oliveira’s case — is the last thing the University of Cambridge needs.
The 21 Group is also aware of a number of forthcoming Employment Tribunal cases, which are not likely to present a very reassuring picture of the University. One is starting next week at Bury St Edmunds Tribunal.
Perhaps it is time for the Vice-Chancellor and Pro-Vice-Chancellors to reconsider their course — instead of accelerating further on a trajectory towards icebergs?
(Image Credit: Photo is of the iceberg which was probably rammed by the RMS Titanic. Photo was made by Stephan Rehorek, who died in 1935)
1 Comment
TheResearcher · 14 April 2026 at 08:56
Sssssssssh, silence please! This investigation against me should be confidential…
It can only be coincidence but the letter above was not considered in the investigation against me, nor did the complaints of my own students who contacted all Pro-Vice Chancellors and the Vice-Chancellor reporting how they were mistreated at DAMTP. And it can only be coincidence that the investigation against me promoted by the Academic Secretary started on 5 August 2025 after I became increasingly vocal internally and externally about what was happening to me since June 2023.
Some posters asked what the Fellows of King’s College are doing regarding their silence on what happened to one of their students in the case of Professor Simon Goldhill. You can ask a similar question regarding the Fellows of Christ’s College and their silence on my case. On October 2, the Master of Christ’s wrote to me and said, “as I said to Professor Evans this morning, I do expect the university to investigate that complaint [whistleblowing disclosure] impartially, thoroughly and in a timely manner. Clearly, that has not happened, but an external investigation might still retrieve something. I will make that point in person to Professor Munir.” You may ask him what he did next.
One striking thing about this case is that it is happening in real time and it is revealing the character of a lot of people who know the story and do nothing to challenge the abuses.