The president of a student’s union has vowed to paint over a memorial to WW1 soldiers because it depicts ‘white men’.

Emily Dawes, who is President of the University of Southampton’s Union, tweeted: ‘Mark my words – we’re taking down the mural of white men in the uni Senate room, even if I have to paint over it myself.’

The mural she is referring to is the Rothenstein Mural, painted in 1916, which shows an unknown soldier receiving his degree after returning from war.

Emily Dawes, University of Southampton’s student union president, has come under fire for saying she wanted to destroy WW1 memorial (Picture: University of Southampton)

The Rothenstein Mural at the University of Southampton was created in 1916 as a mark of respect to Britain’s war dead (Picture: Sir William Rothenstein)

It symbolises the many students who left to join the war effort and were killed so were never able to finish their studies.




Both she and the university have apologised for her words, after coming under heavy criticism and being accused of abusing the freedom of speech that the soldiers mural depicts died protecting.

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The controversial post, which she has since deleted, was not the only one aimed at the memorial.

Earlier, she had posted a picture of the mural along with the caption: ‘ONE OF THE WOMEN JUST SAID ‘it’s nearly armistice day so are we covering up this tapestry??’ AND HOLY SHIT. FUCK YES. GRL PWR #sotonsenatelive’.

Southampton Itchen MP Royston Smith, who served in the RAF for a decade, said her tweet was ‘disappointing’.

She was accused of abusing the freedom of speech that the soldiers mural depicts died protecting (Picture: SotonPres/ Twitter)

The controversial post, which she has since deleted, was not the only one aimed at the memorial (Picture: SotonPres/ Twitter)

He said: ‘With freedom comes responsibility, and considering the President of the SU holds a position of authority she has clearly overstepped the mark.

‘I hope she will reflect on what she has said and realise it has been conducted in poor taste. Those who know the history of our island are fully aware and appreciate the involvement of black and Asian soldiers against tyranny.’

Other people branded her a ‘spoiled brat’ that ‘epitomises everything that is wrong with identity politics.’

You should hang your head in shame, I’m sure one day you will. Please acquaint yourself with the horrific footage of WW1, learn from it and learn how to show respect yourself. I’m sure your family are all so proud of you...not. — Jane AM (@JaneAM2) October 25, 2018

Your original comment was aimed at 'white men' whom you clearly have a problem with. Those young men who fought and died were white, we commemorate them and honour their sacrifice. As a white woman I have done this all my life. I don't need a femi-nazi telling me what to do. — Jackie Brayshaw (@BrayshawJackie) October 25, 2018

You want to be ashamed of yourself disrespecting all those brave men who fought and died for your freedom. Strong females don’t do that. Use your position to do something positive. pic.twitter.com/QcQG37hmtI — Rachael Nicholson ? (@RachaelN92x) October 25, 2018

Miss Dawes has since released an apology.

In a statement released on Twitter she said: ‘Firstly, and most importantly, I would like to apologise for the offence and upset I have caused with what I have said.

‘I never meant the disrespect to anyone past, present and future. I had no intention of the tweet being taken literally, and upon reflection have now realised how inappropriate it was.

‘My intention was to promote strong, female leadership and not the eradication and disrespect of history.

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‘I do not believe that to make progress in the future, we should look to erase the past. Once again, I would like to apologise for the offence and upset I have caused.’

A Southampton University spokesperson told Metro.co.uk: ‘The comments made by the Students’ Union President regarding the Rothenstein Mural are not shared by the University of Southampton and do not represent the views of the University community.

‘We are very proud to display the Mural, painted in 1916, which serves as a memorial to all members of British universities who served in the Great War (World War I).’

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