Skip Navigation

March 2011 Vol 30 Edition 1, North Africa

Colonel's son 'a plagiarist'

By VOA   Wed, Mar 02, 2011

The London School of Economics confirmed yesterday it was investigating claims that Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi's son Seif al-Islam plagiarised his doctorate thesis.

The 38-year-old graduated from LSE with a masters in philosophy, policy and social value in 2003 and took a PhD in philosophy in 2008.

But it is alleged that he used a ghost writer and copied sections of his thesis, The Role of Civil Society in the Democratisation of Global Governance Institutions.

"LSE is aware that there are allegations of plagiarism concerning the PhD thesis of Seif Gaddafi," a spokesman said. "The school takes all allegations of plagiarism very seriously, and is looking into the matter in accordance with standard LSE procedures."

The LSE has cut its ties with Seif, whose International Charity and Development Foundation donated £1.5-million (R17-million) over five years to the school.

The LSE director Howard Davies admitted on Monday that he felt "embarrassed" about the ties with the Gaddafi family in the wake of the violent crackdown on the revolt in Libya.

By VOA

Please login to post your comments.