Cambridge student kicked out of Conservative Association after setting fire to £20 note in front of homeless man

Ronald Coyne: The student involved in the incident.
Cambridge University Conservative Association
Francesca Gillett10 February 2017

A Cambridge University student has been filmed setting fire to a £20 note in front of a homeless man.

Law student Ronald Coyne has been expelled from his role at the university’s Conservative Association after a video of the cruel incident was shared on social media.

The footage shows Mr Coyne, dressed in formalwear, trying to set the cash alight.

The Pembroke College student’s mother called the incident “surprising” and added: “We’re not toffs, he’s not a toff.”

Mr Coyne, who is believed to be a distant relative of Nicola Sturgeon, was communications officer at the Tory association. The club has since distanced itself from the incident after footage was published by The Tab.

A spokesman for the Cambridge University Conservative Association said: “There is no room for people who behave like that in our association, any other university association, or frankly our university.

“This disgusting and abhorrent behaviour occurred completely independently of Cuca.”

A university spokesman told the Times: “We expect our students to treat others with respect, courtesy and consideration at all times, and the university takes allegations of unacceptable behaviour very seriously.”

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