In the latest twist in an already stunning academic controversy, Orlando Figes, Professor of History at Birbeck College, London, has admitted that he, and not his wife, is responsible for writing unfavourable online reviews of his rivals’ books.

In a statement released on Friday, Professor Figes said, “I take full responsibility for posting anonymous reviews on Amazon. I have made some foolish errors and apologize wholeheartedly to all concerned.”

Professor Figes’s admission has taken the academic world by surprise for a second time in as many weeks. Last week, it was revealed that the anonymous online reviewer was Professor Figes’s wife, Dr Stephanie Palmer, herself a Senior Lecturer of Law at Cambridge.

At that time, Professor Figes’s lawyer had contended that the Professor had no knowledge of his wife’s involvement in the matter.

Now, Professor Figes claims that his wife took the blame for him. According to his statement, “My wife loyally tried to save me and protect our family at a moment of intense stress when she was worried about my health, and I owe her an unreserved apology.”

Professor Figes also cites unspecified health concerns as possible explanations for his behaviour. “I am ashamed of my behaviour, and don't entirely understand why I acted as I did,” he said.

“It was stupid – some of the reviews I now see were small-minded and ungenerous but they were not intended to harm. This crisis has exposed some health problems, though I offer that more as explanation than excuse. I need some time now to reflect on what I have done and the consequences of my actions with medical help.”

The startling saga began last week when renowned scholar of Russian history and culture Dr Rachel Polonsky noticed that an anonymous reviewer using the moniker “Historian” had left scathing reviews of her new book Molotov’s Magic Lantern on the Amazon UK website, calling it “dense”, “pretentious”, and the “sort of book that makes you wonder why it was ever published.”

Upon further investigation, it was revealed that the same reviewer had left negative reviews of other scholars’ works as well, including that of Robert Service, Professor of Russian History at Oxford.

Now Professor Service, too, has spoken out about the matter. Writing in the Guardian on Friday, Professor Service denounced Professor Figes’s actions as “shameful” and that of a “bully”.

Professor Service also wrote, “I found it difficult to believe that Stephanie Palmer had written the reviews. Few people whom I knew did. Most were inclined to think that it was Figes himself but were scared of him and his legal letters.”

None of the parties involved in the incident could be reached for comment.