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| Southampton Students' Union president resigns in WW1 mural row | |
| (about 20 hours later) | |
| A student leader who sparked outrage by saying a mural dedicated to soldiers in World War One should be painted over has resigned. | A student leader who sparked outrage by saying a mural dedicated to soldiers in World War One should be painted over has resigned. |
| The artwork, in the University of Southampton Senate Room, shows a degree being given to an unknown soldier. | The artwork, in the University of Southampton Senate Room, shows a degree being given to an unknown soldier. |
| Union president Emily Dawes faced a backlash online after saying the "mural of white men" would be taken down or daubed over. | Union president Emily Dawes faced a backlash online after saying the "mural of white men" would be taken down or daubed over. |
| She said she "acted impulsively" and would step down with immediate effect. | She said she "acted impulsively" and would step down with immediate effect. |
| On 24 October Ms Dawes 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." | On 24 October Ms Dawes 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, painted by Sir William Rothenstein in 1916, was completed as a tribute to students who were killed in World War One and were unable to collect their degrees. | |
| Apology made | Apology made |
| Ms Dawes later apologised, but a petition calling for her to resign from her post was signed more than 21,000 times. | Ms Dawes later apologised, but a petition calling for her to resign from her post was signed more than 21,000 times. |
| In a statement released through the Students' Union she said she had "decided it is best" to stand down from the role. | |
| She said: "I sincerely apologise for the offence and disrespect caused by my earlier comments which were misinformed. | She said: "I sincerely apologise for the offence and disrespect caused by my earlier comments which were misinformed. |
| "I acted impulsively and as such fully accept how careless and hurtful my words were." | "I acted impulsively and as such fully accept how careless and hurtful my words were." |
| In a statement, the university said: "We respect Emily's decision and will continue to provide her with support." | |
| Southampton Itchen MP Royston Smith was among those initially critical of Ms Dawes. | Southampton Itchen MP Royston Smith was among those initially critical of Ms Dawes. |
| He said it was "in poor taste" to "disregard the heroic sacrifice of soldiers who sought to defend the very freedoms, including free speech, which [Ms Dawes] has chosen to exercise". | He said it was "in poor taste" to "disregard the heroic sacrifice of soldiers who sought to defend the very freedoms, including free speech, which [Ms Dawes] has chosen to exercise". |
| More than 1,000 people replied to Ms Dawes' post on Twitter, with some describing the comments as "ignorant" and showing "contempt for our brave soldiers". | More than 1,000 people replied to Ms Dawes' post on Twitter, with some describing the comments as "ignorant" and showing "contempt for our brave soldiers". |
| The artwork was unveiled in the university's Senate Room in 2014 as part of a series of events to commemorate the centenary of the outbreak of World War One. | The artwork was unveiled in the university's Senate Room in 2014 as part of a series of events to commemorate the centenary of the outbreak of World War One. |
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