Two students have been disqualified from their newly elected positions with the Oxford Union for holding a birthday party.

Jeff Bell and Lucy Aitkens, who share the same birthday, were told to stand down for committing electoral malpractice after being elected as treasurer and librarian respectively of the union.

Mr Bell, 20, claimed the duo had become "victims of an old school tie" system.

But the union said the pair were wrong to organise the party just two days before polling day and claimed not all the 100 guests could have been personal friends. Consequently, both have been disqualified for "organised treating which is likely to affect the result".

Mr Bell, of Lady Margaret Hall, said he and Miss Aitkens, who is at St Hilda's College, are the best of friends and decided to organise a private party at Jongleurs Comedy Club in Hythe Bridge Street, Oxford.

The date they picked to hold the event fell just two days before polling day for senior positions at the union.

Mr Bell was elected as the only candidate, while Miss Aitkens won a ballot. However, her opponent - Hatty Cadman - was elected in her place, amid claims that the party had been staged to win electoral support. The pair also paid £50 for a disc jockey to play during the party, which broke rules prohibiting money being spent on winning support.

They were disqualified after a tribunal hearing lasting several hours. Mr Bell said: "I think it's a travesty.

"If the date of our birthday had been two weeks later, we would have held the party for the same reasons.

"It's a technicality which has brought us down."

Oxford Union president Nicky Black said: "They have both been disqualified because it was found that Lucy and Jeff held the party with the intention of soliciting votes.

"They can stand again for other positions."

Story date: Monday 26 April

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