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The University of Exeter has issued an apology after its careers service sent out an email which accidentally used a quote from a Nazi general as a motivational statement.

The university's advice team sent out an email which included a quote from Erwin Rommel, the World War Two Nazi general also known as the Desert Fox, reports the Falmouth Packet's Marco Ferrari.

Rommel was one of the most senior members of the Nazi war machine, and was selected by a member of the careers team to motivate staff and students.

The email said: "One cannot permit unique opportunities to slip by for the sake of trifles."

Rommel commanded Hitler's forces in North Africa, the Afrika Korps. After the Allied victory in North Africa he went to Normandy to command defences there.

(Image: Bundesarchiv, Bild 146-1977-018-13A / Otto)

He had also fought on the Western Front in World War One and in 1939 was commander of Hitler's bodyguard battalion.

After his death Rommel was given a state funeral and Hitler ordered a national day of mourning.

A spokesman from the Exeter University said: "This was a genuine error and in no way intentional, however we apologise unreservedly for any offence it may have caused, and have put additional processes in place to ensure this doesn’t happen again.”

The spokesman said the University of Exeter staff member who selected the quote did not know who Rommel is, and the information was taken from a free to use website.

The University of Exeter has fallen into disrepute before, with the Nazi swastika symbol found carved in halls in Exeter, while last year students went out wearing Nazi swastikas for a fancy dress event.

Earlier this year the university was thrust into the national spotlight after students from a law society shared extremely racist and sexist messages in a WhatsApp group - leading to multiple investigations and expulsions.

Actress Emma Thompson, whilst giving a speech at the University of Exeter, said the leader of the BNP would 'love it here' after her adopted Rwandan son's experiences on campus.