The University of Exeter is investigating racist messages shared by law students in a WhatsApp group after screenshots of 'vile and deplorable' comments were shared on Facebook.

Messages encouraging gang rape and slavery were alleged to have been sent by Matthew Bell, Ash Chandraharan, Alex Crawford, James Cranstone and Bailey Grant, who are all members of the Russell Group university's prestigious law society.

The WhatsApp exchanges say the Bracton Law Society should be for 'whites only' with references to 'sending black people home' and 'dirty Arabs'.

They also claim a stabbing on a fellow student 'should have gone further'.

Hill Dickinson LLP law firm - where Matthew Bell was due to start work - has now confirmed it has revoked his offer of employment in light of the slurs.

The racist messages shared by law students in a WhatsApp group are being investigated after screenshots of 'vile and deplorable' comments were shared on Facebook

The WhatsApp exchanges say the Bracton Law Society should be for 'whites only' with references to 'sending black people home, 'dirty Arabs' and 'if you aint English go home'

The messages were exchanged between several students and encourage and advocate slavery

Hill Dickinson LLP law firm - where Matthew Bell was due to start work - has now confirmed it has revoked his offer of employment in light of the slurs

Student Arsalan Motavali said he initially created the chat group in 2017 but over time was removed as admin as it was taken over by other students. He however remained able to see messages posted by members of the chat group.

The messages have led to the students being removed from their law society

Mr Motavali then took screenshots of the messages before posting them on Facebook, where they have been shared hundreds of thousands of times.

Last night, as the messages were shared Exeter University and its students union the Exeter Guild confirmed an investigation was underway.

One student, who asked to remain anonymous, told MailOnline: 'Alex Crawford seemed genuinely nice which makes it even more shocking that he is involved in something like this.

'I even voted for him to be pro-bono officer for BLS - this is a role that he currently has in the society, taking charge of charity activities and volunteering.

'I think people should realise just how hypocritical it was for him to campaign for such a role, when he is a member of group chats like this.'

The Bracton Law Society said it had 'taken the decision to remove those involved from the committee... and indefinitely ban all those involved from the Society'.

And the repercussions of the incident are being felt around the university as the society has now cancelled its end of year gala, apologising for 'the actions of a few individuals [which] have negatively impacted our members.'

The society wrote on Facebook: 'Following discussions with the University of Exeter’s Students’ Guild, we have reached the decision that it is no longer appropriate for us to hold our annual End of Year Gala in light of what has transpired.'

Law firm Hill Dickinson confirmed it had revoked the offer of employment for Matthew Bell, who was due to start work in September 2019.

It added: 'We are deeply disturbed by the messages that were brought to our attention last night and would like to stress that the views expressed by the individual and others involved in this matter do not in any way represent the views of this firm and and we absolutely do not condone this behaviour.'

The WhatsApp exchanges include references to 'sending black people home', use of the most racist pejorative terms, the phrases 'dirty Arabs' and 'if you aint English goes home' and references a stabbing which the messages say should have gone further

Revealing the messages on Facebook, Mr Motavali said: 'I refuse to stand by and let such people who speak in these terms go on to recruit at future law firms or be a part of University culture'

The group also used a screenshot of London Mayor Sadiq Khan

Revealing the messages on Facebook, Mr Motavali said: 'I'm sure everyone has recently seen the incident of racism at Nottingham Trent University recently. This event along with various other factors have compelled me to finally expose the below screenshots of multiple students of the Law school who have repeatedly made racist and vile comments.

'Some context is obviously necessary. I created the group chat in the summer of 2017, it was originally 6 participants and it was a normal group chat. Over time I was removed as admin.

'At this point is where the content became increasingly racist and deplorable.

'Not only are their statements disgusting, they are often targeted towards their peers and some of my close friends, whilst depicting them as an official society belief of Bracton Law Society (BLS) ('no BLS for P**i's' etc.), which I am deeply disturbed by having been on committee last year and I hope BLS rectify this.

'I did not voice my concerns in the group, but went silent for a long time, rarely pitching in to help with exam advice or talk about football. I mainly stayed in the chat to collect evidence.

'I did not come out with it straight away due to pressures of third-year, consistent anxiety and worry of how to deal with the situation, so I just kept it to myself and distanced myself from University.

Last night, as the messages were shared to hundreds of thousands of people, Exeter University tweeted: 'we unreservedly condemn any act of racism'

The Bracton Law Society said it 'has taken the decision to remove those involved from committee... and indefinitely banned all those involved from the Society'

'All the screenshots attached need no explanation. Repeated racial slurs, a call for a race war and racially insulting peers would be enough to get individuals severely disciplined, fired and shunned in any other workplace - the Guild, University and BLS should act no differently.

'I refuse to stand by and let such people who speak in these terms go on to recruit at future law firms or be a part of University culture, whilst cowering behind their phones and talking like this about people that are part of the society they represent.

'If you're going to be a racist, be a racist, just be prepared to face the consequences that come with being such a person.

'From multiple instances of anti-semitism, blackface and now to this. The University of Exeter has a serious racism problem that they need to deal with urgently and by setting a precedent.'

In the furore which ensued, the Bracton Law Society removed its website and people looking for it were met with this notice

A spokesman for the University of Exeter said: 'The University of Exeter does not tolerate any form of racist, sexist or bigoted behaviour and is committed to eradicating any instances of discrimination and harassment that may arise.

'Following reports of allegations involving a small group of students, the University has launched a major investigation, in conjunction with the Students' Guild, and suspended the students while this takes place.

'The police have also been informed. While it would be inappropriate to comment further while investigations take place, full disciplinary action will be taken as appropriate.'

A spokesman for the University of Exeter Students’ Guild said: 'The Students’ Guild do not tolerate this kind of behaviour. We have launched a major investigation in conjunction with the University and have suspended the named students’ membership with the Union and the University while the investigation is ongoing.

'The incident has been reported to the police. Affected students are able to contact our confidential Advice Unit and online wellbeing services.'

A Devon and Cornwall police spokesperson said: 'Police are aware of this incident and are liaising with staff at the University of Exeter.'