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The government has expressed concern about the sale of rare mathematics books by Keele University, but ministers have said their hands are tied. Chris Smith, secretary of state for culture, media and sport, has told Keele academics that he "shares concern" about the circumstances of the university's sale of the Turner collection for Pounds 1 million to a book dealer last summer.

A meeting of the university senate has decided no further action should be taken after it received answers from vice-chancellor Janet Finch to questions about the sale from members of three of Keele's faculties.