Ku Klux Klan fancy-dress row student is picked for Oxford in the Boat Race
Benedict Aldous, 20, will take part in Saturday's clash despite being banned from college social events
A STUDENT forced to apologise for dressing as a Ku Klux Klan member at an Oxford party has been picked for the university Boat Race.
Benedict Aldous, 20, will take part in Saturday’s Oxford-Cambridge clash despite being banned from social events at his college.
The Old Etonian sparked fury by attending a Christ Church college “bop” with a creepy white pillowcase on his head with two eyeholes.
His costume was also said to have included a reference to the Klan’s US home.
Banker’s son Aldous was banned from college social events and said in a written apology: “It was intended to be satirical. I regret it. It was an inappropriate and offensive choice.”
College dean the Very Revd Professor Martyn Percy said of the December 2016 incident: “Such behaviour is completely unacceptable and has been rightly censured by the college.”
But Aldous will now take part in the race — one of the world’s most-watched rowing events with up to six million UK viewers.
One student said: “It’s disgraceful they’re letting him represent the university in such a public way.”
Another said: “There are things more important than winning a boat race.”
A Boat Race spokeswoman said: “Benedict made a mistake. He has apologised and the incident was dealt with appropriately.”
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