Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell washed his hands Tuesday of the controversial ousting of University of Virginia President Teresa Sullivan by the school’s governing body, though he faulted the board for not being more open about its reasons for forcing Sullivan out.

“I understand it has been a lot of heartache, a lot of questions, a lot of emotions,” McDonnell said from Sweden, where he is finishing up a 10-day trade mission. “The board, from the best I can determine, made the decision that was in the best long-term interest of the university.”