A university has launched an investigation after a student was photographed with a swastika and a racial slur written across his chest.
The student, unnamed, refused to apologise for the incident, saying he had "no control over what was written". He said the offensive slurs and imagery were drawn during a drinking game when a woman, believed to be the student's girlfriend, was asked to "write the most offensive thing possible".
The University of Central Lancashire, where he studies, is now investigating the incident after a photo emerged showing the student with a swastika and "I HATE N****S" written in red lipstick across his chest. The university said it was taking the investigation "very seriously", Wales Online reported.
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The student told the student news site The Tab: "I was not responsible for them. It was part of a drinking game where I had to allow my girlfriend to write whatever she wanted on my chest.
“The person who wrote that is black and chose that message ironically. As anyone who was there that night will confirm, I had absolutely no control over what was written and did not consent to any images being taken.
“They are now being used to attack me as the person with these images is well aware, I had no power of the situation. Whilst I acknowledge that these images and their content are very harmful and disgusting, I will not apologise because, as I’ve stated, I was not responsible for them.
“I would also point out that the reason she wrote that is because the app we were using said to write the most offensive thing possible.”
The University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) has launched an investigation into the matter, which they say they are treating 'very seriously'. A spokesperson said: “At UCLan we do not condone any form of harassment, bullying or hate crime and our ethos is for everyone to treat each other with respect.
“We take matters such as this very seriously and have been carrying out an investigation into all aspects of this case and will work directly with those involved in this matter. There is complexity to this investigation, and it would not be appropriate to share the details of the case nor breach the confidentiality of the individuals involved as we deal with this matter appropriately.”
However, one of the students who initially shared the image online and reported it to the university has since been suspended on the grounds of harassment. They said: “It’s very stressful and upsetting, especially as I would like to get my degree at the end of my three years of hard work.
"I don’t want to be expelled for standing up against discrimination.”
Lancashire Police have confirmed the incident has been reported and is currently being investigated.
