THE former chairman of the Football Association, who resigned after being secretly recorded making scandalous accusations, was yesterday given an honorary degree from the University of Essex.

Lord Triesman of Tottenham is one of a number of honorary graduates being given degrees for their “exceptional contribution to their field” and yesterday he attended the special ceremony.

Lord Triesman was forced to resign his post this year after a private conversation with a former civil service colleague was secretly recorded and then published by a Sunday newspaper.

The FA distanced themselves from the extraordinary claims and Triesman, who said his comments were never supposed to be taken seriously, stepped down two days later.

The graduation ceremonies are this year being broadcast live online for the first time to allow people around the world to watch on the web.

Thousands of students are travelling to Colchester this month to receive their degrees at the university’s graduation ceremonies and the live online broadcast will allow family members and loved ones unable to be there on the day to share in the excitement.

This year’s ceremonies are the biggest ever with more than 2,000 students from the Colchester, Loughton and Southend campuses coming to celebrate their achievements.