The identity of the donor behind a controversial £10m donation to Oxford University is to remain secret after a judge dismissed openDemocracy’s appeal for transparency.
Oxford University announced it was given £10m in 2018 as a gift to establish a new research centre specialising in Azerbaijan, the Caucasus and Central Asia. The mysterious donation was facilitated by the president of Azerbaijan’s sister-in-law, but its true source was not disclosed.
The university refused openDemocracy’s Freedom of Information (FOI) request asking for the identity of the donor and copies of communications around the handling of the donation – arguing that its commercial interests could be harmed by the information being disclosed and citing data protection concerns.
