This morning, Luke Pollard MP has commented on an offensive photo that has been circulating on social media of Plymouth University Conservative Society and published by the Plymouth Herald and The Mirror.

The picture shows Plymouth University Conservative party members on a night out, who have drawn offensive, racist slogans and marks on their t-shirts and bodies.

We will not be publishing the photo on this page due to its offensive nature.

Luke Pollard MP said:

“Today I have had many concerned people from across Plymouth getting in touch with me about the actions of The Conservative Society at Plymouth University.

 

Plymouth University is a great uni and the actions of the Conservative Party society on campus do not reflect the values and actions of the student body and I know many students are as disappointed and angry as I am about their actions. These young Tories have embarrassed themselves, their University and the city with their stupid actions.

 

Hitler moustaches, the Nazi slogans on their clothing, the hate and the white power symbols should not be acceptable in mainstream politics in 2018.

 

These young Conservative members should think long and hard about their actions. These aren’t just a bunch of young kids, they’re the Tory volunteers rolled out to meet and greet Tory Ministers in Plymouth and they’re the bedrock of the local Conservative party and the backbone of the local Conservative canvassing operation.

 

There’s no place for hate in our society and these young Tories have demonstrated there should be no place for them in politics.”

Nationally, the Conservative party has launched its own investigation.

The University of Plymouth has said:

“The University does not tolerate anti-Semitic or racist behaviour under any circumstance and will take disciplinary action in line with our procedures in the event of incidents such as this.”

Read more

The link to the Plymouth Herald story can be found here.

The link to the Mirror story can be found here.

Report Racism

If you have been the victim of racist abuse the NUS, the National Union of Students, has information on their website about how to report racism and hate. https://www.nus.org.uk/en/take-action/welfare-and-student-rights/reportracism/

The University of Plymouth Students Union can also advise students on how to report racism and abuse.

Plymouth City Council also operate an online reporting tool for reporting racism and abuse. https://www.plymouth.gov.uk/crimeandantisocialbehaviour/reportdiscriminationorhateincident