Oxford University students have been offered emotional “support” by their student union ​if they were adversely affected by their vice-Chancellor’s comments that it is not her job shield them from controversial opinions.

Professor Louise Richardson provoked a furious backlash when she said that students who are upset with their tutors for expressing views against homosexuality should “challenge” them, rather than reporting their tutors to university authorities.

The vice-Chancellor’s comments are likely to be seen as a veiled attack on today’s generation of “snowflake” students who are seen as overly-sensitive and quick to take offence. Prof Richardson said she has had “many conversations” with students who are unhappy that their tutors have express views that are “against homosexuality”.