University of Warwick student group suspended over Nazi song video
The association has been condemned after a video appeared to show members singing a Nazi marching song
Last updated 2nd Jul 2024
The University of Warwick has suspended the activities of a Conservative Association group after a video was shared online showing members singing a Nazi marching song.
The footage was taken at a black-tie dinner hosted by the Warwick University Conservative Association (UWCA) and guests were filmed dancing to Erika, a song which has been adopted by white supremacists.
A spokesperson for the University of Warwick said: "Antisemitism has no place on our campus and the behaviour depicted in the video is reprehensible.
"In line with university policy, we have initiated an externally led investigation and will share the findings once they are available. To ensure that the investigation is as robust as this issue deserves, we allow for up to 90 days to complete the investigation.
“Warwick SU has suspended the activities of Warwick Conservative Association whilst the investigation is carried out. Should appropriate action be necessary following the conclusion of the investigation, we will not hesitate to act.
“We encourage anyone affected by the allegations to report their concerns via our Report + Support service.”
It is alleged that some members later chanted "Kill the Hughs", apparently substituting the word "Jews" with the first name of the recently departed association chairman Hugh Herring, and declared "Heil the chairman", according to the newspaper.
In a statement to The Mail Online, the association said the song Erika was played for "a brief period" and was immediately turned off once it became clear the track was being used and what it represented.
It said: "We have subsequently found that the song was requested by a lone member directly to the DJ. We stress that it was not included in the preplanned music selection handed to the DJ."
The statement added that the person who had asked for the song would be excluded from future events, as would anyone who "knowingly engaged with the song".
It said the person seen "actively" singing was not a member and most people in the video were "completely unaware" of the song's origins.