Sir Stephen Tumim has resigned as principal of St Edmund Hall, Oxford, after a long-running dispute with dons, it was revealed today.

Sir Stephen, the former Chief Inspector of Prisons and former judge, is reported to have left "Teddy Hall" with a six-figure severance sum.

In a statement, he said: "Differences in opinion have emerged over the interpretation of the role of principal, which have proved impossible to reconcile."

Sir Stephen said he had reluctantly decided to step down but would stay on until the end of this academic year in August.

A statement from St Edmund Hall read: "We are grateful for his contribution to the college over the past two years and extend to him our very best wishes for the future."

Insiders say Sir Stephen, wearied by his previous high-profile posts, had relished the opportunity to become principal of an Oxford college but there were disputes almost as soon as he arrived in 1996.

It is suggested that he was considered an outsider - although an Oxford graduate, he had not studied at St Edmund Hall - and was known to support students on many college issues, which it is believed incurred the wrath of senior colleagues.

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