St Andrews Conservatives apologise for students’ burning of Obama effigy

AN EFFIGY of US President Barack Obama was burned on a bonfire by members of the Conservative student association at St Andrews University, it has been reported.

The incident is said to have taken place on Friday evening on the town’s East Sands beach.

Members of the association have claimed that they had “no input” into the incident, while the St Andrews Conservative Association apologised for any offence caused.

In a statement, the university said it was aware of the incident and was seeking clarification.

It added that it had asked to meet the president of the society to discuss “very understandable concerns which these reports have raised”, but said it would be inappropriate to comment further.

Matthew Marshall, president of the St Andrews Conservative Association, admitted that it had been “stupid”. “President Obama is an important ally to the British government,” he said.

“It was a stupid thing to do and we apologise for any offence caused.”