David Held: how could you?

"It has emerged that Professor David Held, co-director of the Centre for the Study of Global Governance which benefited from the donation, and an informal mentor to Mr Gaddafi's son, was appointed a trustee of GICDF in June 2009 – before the LSE formally accepted the £1.5m donation in July 2009.  Last week, the LSE cut its ties with GICDF, refusing to accept any further funds beyond the £300,000 already received.  Speaking to the IoS, Professor Held said he became a trustee after an initial decision was made, in June 2009, to accept the money. He said that an LSE Council meeting several months later (October 2009) raised the issue "that being on the board may involve a conflict of interest with the grant" and he was asked to step down."   This is so sad: I have always enjoyed reading the books and articles by David Held.  His book on Critical Theory is one of my favorites on the subject.  How pathetic. (thanks Michael)