Empire theme dropped by students

Students accused of being distasteful in giving a May ball a British Empire theme have had a change of mind.

Organisers at Emmanuel College, Cambridge University, apologised and said they did not condone colonialism, repression or racism.

It said the word empire would be removed from promotional material, after people registered criticism on a networking site.

The theme of the May ball on 14 June will remain the 19th Century.

Historical events

A website statement by the ball organisers said the theme would "reflect the style and fashions of Britain at the end of the 19th Century and the diverse countries and cultures with which Britain was then entwined".

"In choosing this setting for the ball, we have sought neither to excuse or dismiss any historical events, nor to support or challenge any interpretation now placed upon them.

"It is clear, however, that some people have found our reference to the British Empire to be distasteful.

"We are unhappy that any offence should have been caused; that was certainly not our intention.

"We have therefore decided to remove immediately the word Empire from the May Ball website and from all future promotional material," said the statement.

Critics had complained that it was inappropriate to celebrate the British Empire.