A STUDENT falsely accused by his university of inciting and leading criminal action during an anti-outsourcing occupation has been given an apology and £20,000 in damages.

The University of Sussex was forced to say sorry to Michael Segalov after it suspended him, accusing the then law undergraduate of leading an unlawful occupation and carrying out associated criminal behaviour in 2013.

But university management admitted there was “no truth” to the claims on Thursday, issuing an apology and paying £20,000 in damages and the ex-student’s legal fees.

Mr Segalov, now a journalist, told the Star: “I’m relieved that it’s now been publicly accepted that the protests at Sussex, that I was just one small part of, were not characterised by theft, intimidation and violence.

“Quite the opposite is true, we were part of a movement that had the support of the huge majority of students and staff.

“I hope it acts as a warning to other university administrations, that they can’t get away with this [victimisation of activists] anymore.

“This was an attempt to delegitimise protest and dissent, with a blatant disregard for due process or the truth.”

He said he was personally glad the apology meant people would know he was “no mindless, violent thug.”

Barristers Geoffrey Robertson QC and Jude Bunting represented Mr Segalov on a pro bono basis after higher education watchdog the Office of the Independent Adjudicator said his suspension was unreasonable.