Pressure mounts on McSweeney over PhD

ACADEMICS on both sides of the Atlantic are now openly calling for the resignation of Government chief science advisor Dr Barry McSweeney, who is embroiled in continuing controversy over the origins of a doctorate he received in America.

Dr McSweeney is under mounting pressure to explain the conditions under which he obtained his PhD from California-based Pacific Western University (PWU) - an institution accused of selling bogus degrees since the 1970s.

Although he has refused to comment publicly, Dr McSweeney continues to perform his duties and yesterday attended the launch of a Health Research Board report in Dublin Castle where he briefly addressed the floor.