Best universities `must be elitist'

Elitism is the only way to keep Britain's best universities at the forefront of learning, Professor Alec Broers, Cambridge's new vice- chancellor, said yesterday.

Leading universities needed the best students, the most brilliant professors and the highest standard of facilities to stay ahead.

"No one who has the guts to ask for the best can escape being accused of elitism," Professor Broers said on his first day in the post. "Egalitarianism is naturally desirable when votes are to be gained, but it snuffs out the flame of inspiration and is the executioner of the first division."

Professor Broers said top universities must receive a bigger slice of the budget to remain as centres of excellence. The Government was spreading money across too many universities for political reasons.