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RICHARD Madeley has slammed "stupid and thick" Oxford students after they voted to remove a portrait of the Queen from their common room.

In a shocking move a committee of students in Magdalen College agreed the painting of Queen Elizabeth would be taken down because she "represents colonialism."

Richard Madeley asked if the students also wanted to rip up £10 notes
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Richard Madeley asked if the students also wanted to rip up £10 notes

Discussing the issue on Good Morning Britain shortly after 6.30am today Richard, 65, said: "You won't be watching if you're at Magdalen College, you won't be awake until 9, maybe 10 o'clock."

The host then waved a ten pound note and fumed: "Would you rip this up?"

He added: "It's got a picture of the Queen on it. There's a bit of colonial culture there. So would you stop using cash? I can't help but think this is a wind-up. It's so stupid it's actually thick.

"Have they not heard of the Commonwealth? Do they not know what the Commonwealth is?

Susanna Reid said there was 'outrage over the Queen being cancelled'
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Susanna Reid said there was 'outrage over the Queen being cancelled'
The presenter ranted about the move shortly after 6.30am - a time, he said, when the students wouldn't be awake
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The presenter ranted about the move shortly after 6.30am - a time, he said, when the students wouldn't be awake

"The Commonwealth which the Queen has presided over and it's one of the jewels in her crown, as it were, was actually the exit from colonialism.

"As I said I thought these guys were supposed to be some of the brightest in the land."

Members of the college's committee bizarrely concluded that the portrait will now be replaced by “art by or of other influential and inspirational people.”

The woke students have been called "obnoxious" and "ignorant" by critics.

The portrait was hanging in a common room in Oxford's Magdalen College
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The portrait was hanging in a common room in Oxford's Magdalen CollegeCredit: Getty

The Secretary of State for Education Gavin Williamson was among those slamming the decision.

He said: "Oxford University students removing a picture of the Queen is simply absurd.

"She is the Head of State and a symbol of what is best about the United Kingdom.

"She has worked to promote British values of tolerance, inclusivity and respect.”

Students and graduates have voted for the picture to be removed
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Students and graduates have voted for the picture to be removedCredit: Alamy
Gavin Williamson slams Oxford students who voted to remove Queen’s pic from common room as she ‘represents colonialism’

During the vote to remove the picture one student commented that “patriotism and colonialism are not really separable”.

While another added that the picture of Her Royal Highness must be ditched because “this is about our communal space and making people feel welcome”, according to .

And in the future if any pictures of the Queen or the Royal family are to be hung in the common it must be decided by a vote.

The decision has caused uproar among the university's royalists who believe cancel culture has taken a step too far.

Gavin Williamson criticised the woke move
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Gavin Williamson criticised the woke moveCredit: LNP

According to the committee’s minutes, one opponent in the vote said: “In an era where debates on no-platforming and cancel culture rage strong, effectively 'cancelling' the Queen and brandishing her as a symbol of colonialism – so often used as a synonym for racism – sends a dire message that is sure to enrage.

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“Moreover, it is culturally insensitive for a common room so heavily comprised of international students to seek to remove a national symbol from a British institution.

“The cultural heritage of all nations has the right to be respected, and a common room that does not do so cannot claim to be inclusive.”

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