Oxford criticised for donation from oligarch

The University of Oxford has been called upon to reconsider its decision related to a £75 million donation from Britain's richest man Len Blavatnik. Len Blavatnik offered to spend the money to build the School of Government in his name.

In an open letter to The Guardian, the public accuses the university of failing to investigate the involvement of Blavatnik and other "oligarchs" in a "state-sponsored campaign to harass British Petroleum in Russia." The letter also says that the institution should "stop selling its reputation to President Putin's entourage. In 2008 and 2009, dozens of British and Western top executives were forced to resign from the board of TNK-BP in Russia, Russia's third-largest oil company, because of a conflict with Russian billionaires.

The university management claims that they have not delved into resolving the dispute, which the AAR consortium won. In 2013, the oligarchs sold their stake in the Russian state oil giant Rosneft, which the letter calls "a highly controversial deal."

Blavatnik's spokesman, Andrew Garfield, said, "I don't think we are going to comment on the situation. The statements are primarily directed to Oxford." He also added: "Oxford University responsibly reviews applicants for charitable donations, including NPOs. The Endowment Review Committee conducts appropriate due diligence based on publicly available information. The University has confidence in this process and in its results."

The University is a world leader in research and education, at a time of growing global competition. Generous philanthropic donations help support outstanding teaching and research discoveries of global benefit."