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(Photograph) - Student leader Jim Murphy has suspended one of his own executive committee members for allegedly breaching union rules.

Mr Murphy, president of the National Union of Students, wrote to Clive Lewis (above), vice president education, last week telling him he was temporarily suspended for speaking in support of a return to full student grants and against the union's official loans policy. Mr Murphy, who admits he acted without the national executive committee's official backing, said that the matter will go to its next meeting on July 1. Mr Lewis is seeking legal advice on the president's unilateral action. He said: "Basically, Mr Murphy wants to gag me but does this move mean that anyone who supports free education will suffer the same fate? I believe it sets a very dangerous precedent."