Oxford Cuts Ties With Tories Over Racism Row
September 1, 2009 7:19 PM
In Sky News on-line
In Sky News on-line
Oxford University has withdrawn its name from one of its oldest societies after a row over a racist joke.
It has severed all ties with the Conservative Association after inappropriate jokes were told by students during hustings in June.
One of the jokes is alleged to have contained a line about a black person hanging in a family tree.
Two students were suspended from the Tory party as a result of the allegations and a committee member also resigned.
A Tory spokesman said at the time: "People who behave in this disgusting and reprehensible way have no place in the Conservative Party."
The association is now barred from recruiting new members at this year's Fresher's Fair and has been told it must demonstrate "improved conduct over a period of time".
A spokesman said: "The university would like to reiterate that this behaviour does not reflect the way the overwhelming majority of our students think or behave, and the individuals concerned have resigned from the association.
"The university strongly condemns any form of racism and discrimination and reaffirms its commitment to promoting good race relations."
The society was founded in 1924 and is one of the largest political organisations in the country.
Past presidents include Margaret Thatcher, Edward Heath and shadow foreign secretary William Hague.