Theresa May's university takes down her portrait after complaints from students

'Let in every refugee — throw the Tories in the sea,' says messages posted around to picture

'I don't recognise the party that I joined', George Freeman said (EPA)

A row has broken out over the removal of a portrait of Theresa May from the walls of Oxford University, which she attended.

The photograph of the Prime Minister, who read Geography at St Hugh’s College and achieved a second class degree, featured in a display about alumnae.

But the image was taken down following a Twitter campaign called “Not All Geographers”, which criticised Ms May’s policies.

Students raised concerns about the Windrush scandal and the Conservatives hostile environment policies.

Messages were stuck to the wall around the picture saying: “Let in every refugee. Throw the Tories in the sea." Another suggested the department itself was a “hostile environment”.

Oxford University said the portrait would be put back on display in a way that would prevent messages distracting from it.

It insisted it was not removed in solidarity with the protests.

The Not All Geographers account said its demand was “not about making others think in the ‘right’ way” but raised concerns about having a sitting Prime Minister “celebrated in such a way”.

In a Twitter post, it said: “How can you challenge Windrush as an academic but institutionally celebrate Theresa May?!”

Universities minister Sam Gyimah also took to the social media site to claim the campaign was “utterly ridiculous”. He said “even portraits are being no-platformed”.

He added: “Politics aside @theresa_may is only our second female PM & an inspiration to many. The faculty should get a grip & put the portrait back in a more prominent place – I’ll be happy to unveil it!”

Tory MP Nadine Dorries also pitched in.

“How childish, intolerant and stupid you look," she wrote. "God forbid that people who banish others because they do not hold their own beliefs should ever hold positions of power.”

The images in the display, which decorate the walls of a stairwell and the images were nominated by current and former members of the department.

Claire Hann, the school’s equality and diversity officer, said the aim had been to “celebrate the successes of our women students” and “inspire our current students”.

A spokesman for the Prime Minister said it was a matter for the university.

An Oxford University spokesman said: “The portrait was being increasingly obscured by posters bearing mainly humorous satirical messages. It has now been taken down and will be re-displayed so it can be seen as intended.

“Ms May was included in a series of portraits to celebrate outstanding female graduates of the School of Geography and the Environment. We remain proud of her success and that of all the graduates celebrated in the display.”

Press Association contributed to this report