The world-famous Oxford Union is having to reassure worried sponsors that its president is not a cheat.

The historic debating society has been contacted by important financial backers after the shamed Oxford student Katherine Rainwood was expelled for cheating in her final exams.

Now the Oxford Union has been forced to patiently explain a bad case of mistaken identity.

The disgraced student Ms Rainwood, 22, who was sent down for downloading pre-written essays from her personal computer during her finals, was president of the Oxford University Students' Union.

With the story making headlines around the world, widespread confusion about the two Oxford unions was made worse when some newspapers mistakenly reported that Rainwood was head of the Oxford Union.

Oxford Union president Helen Eastman said: "We have had problems with some speakers and sponsors thinking this was connected with us." She said it had never reached the stage where any of the big names speaking at the Union this term - such as chef Gary Rhodes, director Michael Winner and athlete Kriss Akabusi - were thinking of staying away.

"We made sure that people understand that we are two completely different institutions," she said.

"I do not know if any sponsors had a view to withdraw support. We made sure everyone realised it was not us."

Even the Oxford Union's press statements have been carrying a warning: "The Oxford Union is the world famous debating society founded in 1823. It is not to be confused with the Oxford University Student Union, recently in the press, which is a separate organisation."

With the Union able to count five British Prime Ministers among its officers, it clings jealously to its reputation as the Oxford institution able to attract the biggest statesmen and stars.

Last week Ms Rainwood, who was sent down from St Hilda's College where she had been reading politics, philosophy and economics, lost her appeal to be reinstated.

But there has been the consolation of a £21,000 job at the Manufacturing Science and Finance Union.

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