Oxford University sorry for International Women's Day cleaner gaffe Published duration 9 March 2018 Related Topics International Women's Day

image copyright N Chadwick image caption The chalk message was removed from the university's 18th century Clarendon Building

Oxford University has apologised after a female cleaner was asked to remove graffiti saying "Happy International Women's Day" on International Women's Day.

Dr Sophie Smith shared a picture of the scene on Twitter, writing: "What an image for #IWD."

The university said: "We are deeply sorry for this and for offence caused."

Dr Smith said she hoped the cleaner, whose face she obscured in her tweet, received "a heartfelt apology".

The graffiti, which appears to have been written in chalk, was left on the steps of the Clarendon Building in Broad Street.

The initial message from Dr Smith, who is an associate professor of political theory, has been retweeted more than 11,000 times and had nearly 13,000 likes.