PROFESSOR TERRY Eagleton has announced plans to sue The University of Manchester for forcing him to retire at age 65.
The literary critic and Marxist has accused the University of age discrimination and plans to take his case to an industrial court, after talks to renew his contract failed.
Despite the obligation to retire at 65 being part of every lecturer's contract at Manchester, many lecturers have been allowed to continue teaching if they wished in the past.
"I'm no longer in negotiations," said Professor Eagleton. "I was told that if I appealed to senior management then they would reject my claim."
Lately known for his infamous verbal war with celebrity lecturer Martin Amis, Eagleton is one of two world renowned academics who have been asked to retire when the academic year is over by the debt-ridden University.
The move to axe Professor Eagleton and Professor Sheila Rowbotham, who teaches Gender and Labour History, has been criticised by students and staff alike, and was brought up at the Reclaim the Uni demonstration two weeks ago.
Many students have expressed anger that a well-loved lecturer like Eagleton has been asked to leave to in order to save money, whereas Martin Amis, who receives £80,000 for only 28 teaching hours, remains on the University's payroll.
Professor Eagleton, who turned 65 in February, said he is now looking into other teaching engagements. Recently he has returned from a lecturing spell at Yale University.
"I'm talking to various universities," he said. "I really love teaching and I'm not too far on that I can't do it. I'm not totally decrepit yet."
Asked about the University's stance on Professor Eagleton potentially suing, a University of Manchester spokesman said: "An offer has been made to Professor Eagleton, who's contractual retirement date at 65 falls this July."
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