MPs demand apology from PCC over Nazi song dinner

Four Warwickshire MPs have penned a letter to the county's Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), demanding a public apology for his attendance at a student dinner, which saw some guests singing along to a Nazi marching tune.

According to the PCC's office, Philip Seccombe paid to attend the University of Warwick Conservative Association's dinner on 15 June in a personal capacity.

The four Labour MPs - Matt Western, John Slinger, Rachel Taylor, and Jodie Gosling - said they had lost confidence in Mr Seccombe.

"I want to publicly confirm that I was not present for this part and had left the event before any music started," he said in a statement.

"I am deeply saddened to be associated with such abhorrent conduct," he said.

He added that he had recieved the letter, and wanted to assure residents that the actions of the students should not be tolerated.

"Warwickshire Police are now investigating this incident and it would be inappropriate for me to comment further at this time," he added.

A video shared on social media after the dinner appeared to show people at the off-campus event singing and dancing to World War Two era song Erika.

It was composed in 1930 by Herms Niel, who became a troop leader in the Nazis' paramilitary wing.

"Your inability to call out this despicable behaviour both at the time and subsequent to it becoming public knowledge represents a failure of moral leadership," read the letter, which was posted on X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday.

"It should not require the tabling of a Freedom of Information request for the public to become aware that one of their representatives actively participated in the same event in which Nazi songs were sung."

The letter went on to demand a public apology from Mr Seccombe, and asked that he reject any future political support from the association until the matter had been dealt with.

"We, and many others, have lost confidence in your ability to represent the people of Warwickshire. It is your responsibility to regain that trust," it added.

Following the video, the university pledged an investigation and suspended the Conservative Association.

The University of Warwick Conservative Association told the BBC last month the song was requested by a lone member and was not part of the planned music selection for the event.

They said the individual who requested it, and another person who was not a member of the group, would be barred from future events.

The association claimed most attendees were unaware of the origins or connotations of the song.