A SOUTHAMPTON University student president who tweeted about taking down a war memorial was reportedly due back in the day after Remembrance Sunday.

Emily Dawes was suspended from her £20,000 post after she controversially tweeted about taking down a memorial of students who died in the First World War.

She 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 was painted by Sir William Rothenstein in 1916 as a memorial to British students who served in the First World War, and depicts an academic procession and an unknown soldier being presented with a degree.

 

She faced a barrage of criticism and MP Royston Smith, who represents the Itchen ward, said her statement was “disappointing” and in poor taste.

More than 21,000 people also signed a petition calling for her to be permanently removed from her post.

One Twitter user said: “Those young boys gave up their lives so you can write this on Twitter.

“Shame on you.”

Another said: “A very sad day.

“As I understand, these are actual individuals who died in WW1 and the mural depicts them receiving posthumous degrees.

“Southampton University, please do something about this.”

Ms Dawes deleted the Tweet and apologised for her words.

 

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 realised how inappropriate it was.

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

“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.”

Southampton University Student Union did not respond to a Daily Echo request for comment.