English Pharmacy Board (EPB) member Tristan Learoyd has resigned from his position at Sunderland University over tuition fees.

Mr Learoyd, who joined the English Pharmacy Board in 2010, has quit his position as a senior pharmacy lecturer after opposing the privatisation of the university system.

“I refuse to teach where it will be the content of somebody’s wallet – not the content of their character – that will determine their academic success,” he said.

In his resignation letter Mr Learoyd hit out at the new university system, saying “university lecturers have become nothing but workers labouring to produce a product in competition with other institutions”.

“Any lecturer who aligns themselves to the market principles or the leadership of an institution receives the best working conditions and promotion,” he argued. “It is no longer skill, latent talent or qualifications that are recognised – it is compliance.”

Mr Learoyd will remain in his position at the English Pharmacy board, where he was elected as a supporter of the Stop Remote Supervision campaign.