London university looking into Gaddafi's son plagiarism claims

Mar 1, 2011, 18:56 GMT

London - The London School of Economics (LSE) said Tuesday it was looking into claims that Colonel Moamer Gaddafi's son, Saif al-Islam, had plagiarized his doctorate thesis.

'LSE is aware that there are allegations of plagiarism concerning the PhD thesis of Saif Gaddafi,' the university said in a statement.

'The School takes all allegations of plagiarism very seriously, and is looking into the matter in accordance with standard LSE procedures.'

Saif al-Islam studied at the LSE between 2003 and 2008 and left with a Master of Science degree and a doctorate.

But, according to British media reports, he employed a ghostwriter and copied parts of his thesis.

The LSE has already had to defend itself from criticisms over its involvement with the embattled Libyan leader after it emerged that the Gaddafi International Charity and Development Foundation had in 2009 pledged a donation worth 1.5 million pounds (1.8 million euros).

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