Racist messages shared by law students investigated by Exeter University

Claims that racist messages have been posted by law students from the University of Exeter are being formally investigated.

The university and the students’ union are looking into a number of messages which attack ethnic minorities.

The police are in contact with the university on the matter.

Messages such as “buy blacks in bulk”, “what a joke how has that veggie n**** won” and “this is why we need a race war” were shared on a private WhatsApp group.

An image of London mayor Sadiq Khan, who is British-Pakistani, was posted in the private group with the caption “I’m disgusted”.

“Get that cancer away from my ground” was one of the replies to the picture.

One of the members of group, student Arsalan Motavali, posted the screengrabs to his Facebook and Twitter account.

“I’ve had to suffer with this alone for over 3 months, following @rufarochisango_’s experience at Nottingham Trent – I’ve finally decided to expose the racism that I’ve experienced at @Exeter,” he wrote.

Mr Motavali shared what he described as “numerous and deplorable acts of racism by Law students at the University” online following coverage of a black student at another university being racially harassed and abused.

One of the students featured in the screenshots, Matt Bell, was due to join Hill Dickinson LLP in September 2019.

The law firm issued a statement on Tuesday stating that they had spoken to the individual and revoked his offer of employment, saying “we absolutely do not condone this behaviour.”

Matthew Bell has released a statement, saying: “I will not attempt to excuse and deny any of the statements I have made. The comments, which I shall not repeat, are inexcusable and undeniably wrong.

“I would like to make it publicly known that I do not honestly believe any of the things I have said.”

A number of bad reviews were left on the law firm’s online profiles before the statement was issued.

Labour MP for Exeter Ben Bradshaw said on Twitter: “Extremely concerned by evidence published today of racism among a small group of @UniofExeter law students. Imperative the university & @ExeterGuild investigate urgently & deal with the perpetrators.”

The students in the group are part of the university’s Bracton Law Society, which has removed those involved from its committee, banned one of the students from running in an ongoing student election and has “indefinitely” banned all of those involved from the society.

Bracton Law Society said it “respects the dignity and rights of all students… regardless of their cultural or racial backgrounds”.

It added that the views of the students involved do not represent the society, nor does the society condone or tolerate the actions of those involved.

It says it is working with the university to resolve the situation.

The University of Exeter has launched a major investigation, in conjunction with the Students’ Guild.

The students have been suspended while queries are carried out.

“The University of Exeter does not tolerate any form of racist, sexist or bigoted behaviour and is committed to eradicating any instances of discrimination and harassment that may arise,” a spokesperson said.

“While it would be inappropriate to comment further while investigations take place, full disciplinary action will be taken as appropriate.”

A Devon and Cornwall police spokesperson said: “Police are aware of this incident and are liaising with staff at the University of Exeter.”

The university previously attracted criticism over one of its charity balls.

The tribal themed Safer Sex Ball, which raised money for World AIDS Day, was dubbed racist by some students in 2012.

In 2016, an investigation was launched by the university into a sports society after student members were pictured wearing t-shirts bearing anti-semitic and racist slogans during a freshers’ week social event.

(c) Sky News 2018: Racist messages shared by law students investigated by Exeter University