Lecturers have “overwhelmingly” voted that they have no confidence in a university boss over plans to made 110 staff redundant.

Staff and students voted “no” in the confidence vote with more than 90 per cent of those taking part saying that the University of Brighton is “not safe” in vice chancellor Debra Humphris’s hands.

More than 1,400 people voted, including some 800 lecturers and 600 students.

Dr Mark Abel, chairman of the Brighton University and College Union who helped to organise the ballot, said: "This overwhelming no vote clearly demonstrates that staff have no faith in the direction in which the current vice chancellor is taking the university.

“They do not believe that mass redundancies is the way to secure the future of the university. Rather it will lead to a spiral of decline.

“Losing these jobs will further reduce the courses and modules offered to students, increase the workload of remaining staff and worsen a student-staff ratio which is already the 97th worst in the country. University of Brighton is not safe in this vice chancellor’s hands."

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The disquiet comes as the university plans to cut more than 100 jobs, citing “generationally high” inflation and financial pressures on the university.

Staff and students have protested against the redundancies with a group of students occupying the vice chancellor’s office in the Cockcroft building in Moulsecoomb.

Brighton UCU is also taking action to organise strikes at the university and has voted for a motion calling for the resignation of Ms Humphris or her removal from the board of governors.

A mass rally is planned on Saturday, June 10, from The Level in opposition of the redundancies.

A university spokesman previously said: “We recognise that this is a very difficult and concerning time for our staff and we will be doing all we can to support those colleagues impacted by these proposals.

“Like other universities and businesses across all sectors, the backdrop to these changes has a significant financial dimension.

“By addressing the immediate financial challenge we face we can make the most of the opportunities available to us and continue to ensure our future sustainability and success.”

The university was asked to comment on the vote of no confidence.