Obama effigy burnt by St Andrews Conservative students

The university said it was aware of \"very understandable concerns\" about the Obama effigy US President Barack Obama The university said it was aware of \"very understandable concerns\" about the Obama effigy An effigy of US President Barack Obama was burned over the weekend by members of the Conservative student association at St Andrews University.
The incident is understood to have taken place on Friday evening on the town\'s East Sands beach.
One of those who attended told the BBC that members of the association had \"no input\" and were \"surprised\" to discover Obama was on the bonfire.
The St Andrews Conservative Association apologised for any offence caused.
The university said it was aware of the reports and was seeking clarification.
Suggestions that the effigy was also wrapped in an EU flag have been denied.
In a statement, the university said it had asked to meet the president of the society to discuss \"very understandable concerns\".
A spokesman said it would be inappropriate to comment further.
It is understood that the university\'s discipline officer will be present when the meeting takes place.
Matthew Marshall, president of the St Andrews Conservative Association, said: \"President Obama is an important ally to the British government. It was a stupid thing to do and we apologise for any offence caused.\"
A former chairman of the university\'s Labour society described the burning as \"disgraceful\".
James Mills said: \"I can\'t imagine any other student activists of a major political party would behave in this manner.
\"It\'s disgusting and I hope the Conservative Party and the prime minister completely come out and condemn this obscene act.\"
He added: \"The last thing a truly modern party should be doing is burning an effigy of anyone let alone the first black president of the USA, one of our closest allies.\"
The same society has burned effigies of Gordon Brown and former South African president Nelson Mandela in the past, along with one of Mr Mills.