The Reverend Canon Brian Mountford was joined by the Duke of Gloucester and chancellor of Oxford University Lord Patten to celebrate the completion of works at the church, which was the original site of the university.

BBC: University Church of St Mary the Virgin reopens

Lord Patten, chancellor of Oxford University and a former politician, let fly with his own views on March 16th.

ECONOMIST: University finances

Mr Patten, who is chancellor of both Oxford University and the University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, said the party should not be arguing for a cap on fees.

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Lord Patten, Oxford's chancellor, said the university's status as one of the world's great universities meant that it was a worthy recipient of such extra funding.

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With a CV that includes top roles with the Conservative Party, the chancellorship of Oxford University, the governorship of Hong Kong and the House of Lords, Lord Patten is no stranger to the higher echelons of the British establishment.

BBC: Profile: Lord Patten

But Lord Patten said he would remain a member of the Advisory Board of BP and chancellor of the University of Oxford.

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Chris Patten, a Conservative politician (and co-organiser of the papal visit) is chancellor of Oxford University, an institution that Catholics avoided attending (until the pope allowed them, in 1896) even after Anglicans admitted them.

ECONOMIST: Catholics in Britain