Five Institute of Risk Management (IRM) examiners have resigned after a series of rows.

It is the second scandal to hit the IRM in recent months. Former chief executive Maureen Gibbins started legal proceedings against the institute in September, claiming sexual discrimination and unfair dismissal.

The examiners were in charge of the IRM's four core subjects: corporate risk management, risk analysis, risk finance and business organisation and finance. They wrote coursework and set and marked exams in collaboration with external examiners at Glasgow Caledonian University.

Examiner Stuart Martin said they had disagreed with the institute on a number of issues, including exam strategy and coursework.

He questioned whether the IRM's courses were viable for 2002, as the examiners should be setting coursework and exams now for the following year.

"We feel we've done all we can," Martin said.

"All we can do now to show how disappointed we are is by resigning so the students understand why we are leaving and what's going on behind the exams process."

However, an IRM spokesman said the institute had managed to attract five experienced examiners to take the places of those who quit. "It won't affect the coursework going forward," he said.

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