Glasgow university faces prosecution over student’s death

The University of Glasgow may face criminal prosecution over the death of a student who took his own life after being wrongly told he would not graduate, according to Daily Mail.

Ethan Scott Brown, 23, was found dead in his bedroom by his mother, Tracy Scott, on his graduation day, December 13, 2024. His family say he died after being mistakenly told weeks earlier that he had failed a course and could not graduate with his geography degree.

The family have campaigned for a fatal accident inquiry (FAI) and took civil action against the university, which was reportedly settled for an undisclosed sum earlier this week. Their lawyer, Aamer Anwar, said they understand the Lord Advocate is due to meet Crown Counsel to decide on a possible prosecution. He stressed that an FAI must take place regardless.

The comments followed a meeting with Education Secretary Mairi McAllan. Anwar described the university’s failures as “catastrophic and systemic” and said its governance process is “not fit for purpose.” He said McAllan apologised for her predecessor’s September 2025 statement, which implied Ethan’s case was isolated, and offered to ask the Quality Assurance Agency, which is investigating the university, to meet the family. The Government has also been asked to review all Scottish universities.

The university said it is “profoundly sorry” and is on track to implement the recommendations from a peer review by the quality assurance agency, following its self-referral to the Scottish Funding Council.