A college has been cleared of "exam irregularities" after an inquiry into allegations of cheating.

The Oxford Business College, in King Edward Street, Oxford, was struck off by the Institute of Commercial Management in July.

As reported in a front-page story in the Oxford Mail at the time, the institute stripped the college of its "approved status" after investigating complaints by tutor Kerri Wilkinson that students had been shown questions before sitting exams.

The ICM, an independent examinations body, issued a statement in the summer saying that it was satisfied that the allegations had "substance."

But the Institute agreed to overturn the decision this week, following an appeal by the business college.

ICM chief executive, Alistair Somerville Ford, told the Oxford Mail: "A decision has been taken by the Institute's Education Committee to reinstate Oxford Business College's Approved Centre status.

"This will take effect from January 1."

Mr Somerville Ford added: "The allegations were investigated.

"In the interests of all concerned it was decided that certain scripts should not be accepted for marking."

The chief executive said it was "an internal matter" and declined to release the findings of the inquiry.

However, the principal of Oxford Business College, Stanley Hunter, said the allegations had caused embarrassment and distress. Mr Hunter told the Oxford Mail: "Although ICM had reached a decision on the matter, in that they felt the allegations at the time had 'substance', the college was nevertheless given the opportunity to appeal.

"As it turned out no student at the college has had to retake a single examination.

"All references to Miss Wilkinson's claims of being given exam questions by the college prior to the examination are untrue."

He said candidates had been allowed to sit a total of ten different ICM examinations in June.

He added: "Only one, the Management Information Systems paper, Miss Wilkinson's subject, is not being marked."

Canadian Ms Wilkinson, 27, of Summertown, joined the college in February teaching information technology, including the ICM diploma in business studies.

Ms Wilkinson, who left the college in the summer, made separate allegations to the London Edexcel Foundation, which found no evidence of irregularities.

The private business college, just off the city's High Street, offers a range of business and management courses and attracts large numbers of overseas students.

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