A STUDENT at Durham University is facing an investigation after a video circulated on social media showed him making racist remarks.

The institution issued a strongly worded statement on Twitter condemning the comments made in the 40 second clip.

The original video has been seen tens of thousands of times and it is thought to have been made two-and-a-half years ago, before the young man attended the university.

Students and graduates have taken to social media calling for the young man to be thrown out of the university.

Tariro Zunzanyika said: “Racism isn’t a view to be expressed. What a terrible thing to say. This student better be immediately expelled as there are so many more where that came from. For the first time DO SOMETHING.”

Virginia Raffaeli said: “I had incredible time during my 3 years at Durham. However, I am 100% aware that this was not experience that lived by a large number of BAME students, who were routinely subject to systematic racism. Investigating” the incredibly abusive video that has been brought to attention of the entire student body, the and many more is not enough. This student needs to be expelled!!!”

The video emerged this week, with race relations high on the news agenda and riots on both sides of the Atlantic, following the death of George Floyd.

The 46-year-old, who was black, was being arrested on suspicion of passing a fake $20 bill by four white police officers, one of whom knelt on his neck.

On Wednesday evening Durham University issued a Tweet that said: “A video has been reported to us which we are investigating as a matter of urgency.

“We are horrified by the contents of the video and condemn them in the strongest possible terms.

“The views expressed are quite simply unacceptable and have no place at Durham.”

A day earlier the university shared a picture of a black square to show solidarity with the Black Lives Matter campaign.

The university said: “As a university community, we condemn all racism and hate crime in the strongest possible terms.

“We are committed to tackling ignorance, intolerance and hatred so that all people are accepted without exception.”

The Tab, one of Durham University’s student newspapers, has reported that the student has issued a sincere apology in response to the outrage.

He reportedly said: “The video was recorded over two-and-a-half years ago, when I was still at school.

“I deeply regret and condemn the things said in the video as they do not and have never reflected my beliefs.

“The matter was investigated by the police and dealt with by the appropriate authorities at the time.

“I have matured since then and understand the consequences words can have on others. I sincerely apologise for the hurt it has caused and I hope that the Durham community can accept me for who I am now, rather than the person in the video.”