commencement

A spokesperson for Leigh Day added: "The letters are sent under the pre-action protocol for personal injury claims and mark the first formal step in the legal process prior to the commencement of court proceedings."

"I cannot pretend that I'm not disappointed about extending the commencement period," Leadbeater told MPs on the committee tasked with scrutinising it.

In addition, the university faced criticism after it pulled a commencement speaker slot for a pro-Palestinian, Muslim valedictorian.

Butker made headlines last summer for delivering a fire-and-brimstone commencement address at Benedictine College that many labeled misogynistic, antisemitic and homophobic.

The names of those murdered in the attack were read out and a minute's silence observed at the commencement session.