Tory students criticised over Hitler moustache and Star of David on night out

Tory students in Plymouth have been branded a “disgrace” by Jewish representatives after pictures emerged of them at a party wearing Hitler moustaches and shirts daubed with the word ‘Jude’ alongside a Star of David.

Conservative HQ promised swift action against any of its members involved in the Plymouth University Conservatives event, as the party’s conference concluded in Birmingham on Wednesday.

The Board of Deputies was among the organisations to condemn the students’ insensitivity, tweeting: “These were disgraceful scenes. We hope that the investigation will be swift and that firm action is taken.”

In widely-circulated photos, carried on the front page of the Daily Mirror, one young Tory is shown making what many felt was the ‘White Power’ sign with his hand, although this is similar to the ‘OK’ gesture. Others wrote the words “F*** the NHS” on their shirts.

The University’s student union said it had suspended the society, adding: “We totally condemn behaviour of this kind, along with all forms of racism and antisemitism.

The University said it “does not tolerate racist or anti-Semitic behaviour under any circumstance and will take disciplinary action in-line with our procedures in the event of incidents such as this”.

The Union of Jewish Students condemned the spectacle, telling Jewish News: “We are disgusted to see that members of the Plymouth University Conservative society graffitied Stars of David and ‘Jude’ on each others’ shirts. There can be no excuse for deliberate mocking of the greatest trauma in recent Jewish history. We are pleased that among others, Plymouth Students’ Union and Conservative HQ have condemned those involved, and we expect the University to take appropriate action to make it clear that despicable behaviour such as this has no place on campus. If any Jewish students are concerned by this or similar incidents on campus, please do not hesitate to get in contact with UJS for support.”