An independent college in Scotland, sponsored by the Dubai royal family and whose stated aim is to promote multiculturalism, has sacked its Principal - Professor Malory Nye, 47.

Nye and his wife, Isabel Campbell-Nye, 42 - the Head of the Al-Maktoum College of Higher Education's English Language Centre - alleged they were sacked for being white and Christians, according to a report by the Daily Mail. They have alleged discriminatory practices on grounds of racial and religious bias as the reason for their dismissal.

The Dundee-based research institution, which claims to promote a greater understanding of different religions and cultures in a multicultural context, for the benefit of the wider community, has faced criticism for the decision to sack Nye and his wife, who were reportedly seen as threats to traditional Islamic values.

Nye and his wife, who joined the college faculty 8 and 4 years ago, respectively, were married in an on-campus ceremony, a year ago.

In the report by the Daily Mail, Nye claimed the patron of the college - Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al-Maktoum , the Deputy Ruler of Dubai - did not favor efforts by both Nye and his wife, to give the institution a more cosmopolitan feel. Additionally, Nye also claimed that both Abubaker Abubaker, the Director of Operations, and Mirza al-Sayegh, Chairman of the Board of Directors and Private Secretary to the Sheikh, were against his wife and himself continuing their work at the college.

It is clear to me that there is collusion between these two individuals that I should be removed from my position on the basis that I am not an Arab and not a Muslim and that the person who has the role of principal should be Arab and/or Muslim, Nye was quoted as saying by the Telegraph.

My face and lack of Muslim faith no longer fit, he added.

The couple said the college patrons did not detail the reasons behind their dismissals and have filed complaints against the Chancellor of the institution, the College Lord Elder - a friend of former Prime Minister Gordon Brown.

Professor Nye was dismissed from his post as Principal at the College following a period of suspension on full pay and an inquiry conducted by the College Chancellor, said the college spokesperson, responding to the duo's formal complaint at the Employment Tribunal.

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