AN investigation into allegations an Essex University lecturer posted anti-Semitic material on Facebook has now been completed.

The posts were claimed to have come from the account of computer science lecturer Dr Maaruf Ali, which allegedly said “the Zionists next want to create a society here at our university”.

Posts also appeared to have been shared from the account which appeared to deny the Holocaust.

The posts were later deleted.

But it is understood they resulted in Dr Ali being suspended.

A university spokeswoman said: “The investigation is now complete and the procedure to deal with its outcome is being followed at the moment.

“The member of staff remains suspended while this is done.”

The university refused to detail what procedure is now underway or if the staff member remains on full pay since he was suspended in late February.

The spokeswoman added: “This is a matter between the university and the member of staff.”

The suspension of a staff member was one of a series of measures announced by the university’s vice-chancellor Professor Anthony Forster, after a

row broke out over the creation of a Jewish society at the university.

The national Union of Jewish Students said it was “shocked” after more than 200 students voted against the creation of a Jewish society on campus.

The voting was then deemed “void” before a re-run of the vote was cancelled and the society automatically ratified.

The Union of Jewish Students also raised concerns about the Facebook posts, alleged to have been from Dr Ali’s account.

Following February’s upset Prof Forster also said a review would be launched immediately “to ensure we provide unequivocal support to our Jewish students and staff”.

The university encourages students and staff to express views but “within the limits of the law”. and has “clear guidelines for student and staff conduct and zero tolerance towards harassment or hate crime.”

The Essex Political Society Presidents described the Facebook posts as “abhorrent” .

The Gazette tried to contact Dr Ali for comment but he did not respond at the time of going to press.