As Vice-Chancellor at the Royal Agricultural University, I understand – and indeed share, as do all the students and staff in our community – the public anger and upset concerning the behaviour of a small minority of our students last week during this year’s student RAG Rally.

This behaviour goes against the very core values and mission of our University and is wholly unacceptable.

As such, we started an investigation immediately we became aware of the incident and, by Wednesday, had suspended the small number of individuals involved from the University with immediate effect. Due process will run its course with the outcome of the investigation expected by the end of this month.

We are very much committed to making a positive contribution to the local community and aim to do this in many different ways. Indeed, the purpose of the RAG Rally is to raise funds for selected charities - our students contribute more donations (pro rata) to their chosen charities than any other university in the country.

Last week, however, these efforts were undermined by the actions of a minority which had an adverse impact on the town, as well as ourselves, which we deeply regret and for which we apologise.

Peter McCaffery

Vice-Chancellor, Royal Agricultural University