Four candidates have been confirmed as contenders for the post of Oxford University chancellor, but, in a last minute twist, a fifth unnamed nominee has entered the fray.
Nominations closed today at 4pm, but at 5pm a spokeswoman said the university was still "trying to verify" a fifth candidate. "We are checking one other nomination, but we think there might be problems," she said. She refused to name the disputed candidate.
Earlier speculation had put the renegade philosopher Andrew Malcolm in the race. Mr Malcolm set up a "centre for a range of disaffectees" in the form of a bookshop opposite Balliol College after Oxford University Press refused to publish his book. Oxford Campion Hall graduate John Courouble has also been mentioned in regard to the role.
Rumours that former US president Bill Clinton was still interested in standing were quashed by the university spokeswoman, who said: "I can tell you that Bill Clinton has definitely not been nominated." Mr Clinton had expressed early interest in the post, but was thought to have ruled it out because he is too busy. Up until last week, rumours persisted that he might re-enter the race.
Ladbrokes the bookmaker has put Lord Neill in poll position for the job, but were Mr Clinton to stand, he would be the odds on favourite to succeed the late Roy Jenkins, who died at the end of last year. Ladbrokes is offering even odds on the former Oxford vice-chancellor Lord Neill of Bladen, 7/4 for the EU commissioner Chris Patten, 2/1 for Lord Bingham of Cornhill and 4/1 for the comedian Sandi Toksvig.
A spokesman said: "We think that [Lord] Neill is in with a chance as the anti Balliol vote candidate. Other colleges might go against the strong Balliol representation. There will be loyalties to colleges going on." He added: "We think it's going to be pretty close. Sandi Toksvig is the only one we think doesn't stand a chance. But [Bill] Clinton or [the Conservative MP] Michael Portillo would have cleaned up - they would have been favourite."