Bristol University axes the National Anthem from graduation ceremonies amid students’ claims it is ‘old-fashioned’ and ‘offensive to some’

The University of Bristol has ruled out using the national anthem at its graduation ceremonies, with some students saying it is “old-fashioned” and “offensive to some”.

The anthem has not been played since last year’s ceremony, and the university said it regularly updates its graduation ceremonies.

Now the game “God Save the King” can only be played in the presence of a member of the royal family.

Some students at the 147-year-old university suggested that the National Anthem was omitted because it is “irrelevant”, “old-fashioned” or even might be “offensive to some”.

It comes just weeks after the university vowed to remove the emblem of slave trader Edward Colston from its logo after his statue was torn down during a Black Lives Matter protest in the city in June 2020.

Layla Danes, 21, said Sun: “The monarchy isn’t really relevant to my generation, so it won’t be missed.”

Now the game “God Save the King” can only be played in the presence of a member of the royal family. Pictured: King Charles during COP28.

Some students at the 147-year-old university (pictured) suggested the National Anthem had been omitted because it was “irrelevant”, “old-fashioned” or could even be “offensive to some”.

Free Speech Union director Toby Young asked: “Why are the UK’s most prestigious universities openly disregarding the country’s history and heritage?”

A spokesperson for the University of Bristol said: “The University regularly updates aspects of its graduation ceremonies, including the 2020 decision that the National Anthem will be played in the presence of royals such as the Lord Lieutenant.”

It comes after former Labor councilor and emeritus professor Harriet Bradley, who used to work at the university, called for “someone to blow up the premises” where the Jewish Labor Movement holds its annual conference.

The 78-year-old has since deleted the tweet.

The offensive post sparked a furious response from the Jewish community, with the sociology professor who studies “class, gender and ethnic inequalities” reported to police and her former employer.

Avon and Somerset Police are said to be investigating the matter as a “case of malicious communications”.

Daniel Sugarman, director of communications for the Board of Deputies of British Jews, responded: “I have checked that this tweet is real. This.

“I’m now sitting in the building where Jewish Labor held its conference last year, so you can understand that this is causing me additional anxiety. Emeritus Professor of Sociology, University of Bristol.”

In a now-deleted tweet, Harriet Bradley, 78, who worked at the University of Bristol, called for “someone to bomb the place” where the Jewish Labor Movement holds its annual conference.

Black Lives Matter protesters gathered to pull the bronze statue of 17th-century slave trader Edward Colston from its pedestal before throwing it headfirst into the harbour.

In late November, the university announced it would further distance itself from slave trader Edward Colston following a public consultation on whether to rename seven buildings named after families, including Wills and Frees, with ties to slavery.

Professor Evelyn Welch, vice-chancellor and president of the university, announced the decision to remove Colston’s badge in an open letter in which she also apologized to those who experienced racism at the university.

The 17th-century merchant’s personal coat of arms, the dolphin, was incorporated into the design of the university’s modern logo in 2003 from the coat of arms awarded at the institution’s founding in 1909.

A university spokesman said the 4,000 students, staff and community members who took part in the survey believed it was “crucially important to acknowledge and explain the past” and the historical significance of such figures.