Cambridge University urged to throw out Ronald Coyne, the student who burned £20 note in front of a homeless man as thousands sign petition
HUNDREDS of people have called for a Cambridge student to be booted from the prestigious university after he was filmed burning a £20 note in front of a homeless man.
Ronald Coyne, who is a member of SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon's extended family, has been criticised for his behaviour - including by his own mum - with .
"I don't really know why he's done something so thoughtless and cruel."
also echoed its calls.
Youth news site reported that the incident took place on Bridge Street in the early hours of Thursday, February 2.
It is understood that the student, who was wearing white tie attire, was an executive member of CUCA and is also part of the University's Law Society.
The incident could be similar to that of Oxford's Bullington club where new members are required to burn a £50 note in front of a beggar as part of the group's initiation ceremony.
Confirming his connection to the First Minister, a Scottish Government spokesperson said yesterday: "There are six or seven degrees between them.
"He might go around saying he is her nephew but he's not.
"She has no recollection of ever meeting him.
"Somewhere along the line his dad is the brother of the ex-husband of the sister of the First Minister's husband."
Cambridge University Conservative Association released a statement about the incident, saying: "The CUCA committee became aware of serious allegations against a member late last week concerning his private behaviour.
"There is no room for people who behave like that in our Association, any other University Association, or frankly our University."
They added: "This disgusting and abhorrent behaviour occurred completely independently of CUCA, and did not take place before or after any CUCA event.
"We determined the appropriate response to be to revoke his membership and bar him from all future events, which we did on Saturday."
They later told The Sun Online: "When the Chairman learnt of his despicable private actions his resignation was demanded, his life membership was revoked and he has been banned from all future events."
A Cambridge University spokesperson told The Sun Online: "The University is committed to respecting the rights and dignity of all members of our community.
"We expect our students to treat others with respect, courtesy and consideration at all times, and the University takes allegations of unacceptable behaviour very seriously.
"We do not comment on individual cases."
A spokesman for Mrs Sturgeon said Coyne is not her nephew.
Ronald’s dad Ronnie Coyne is the brother of Stephen Coyne who married Lisa Murrell. Lisa’s brother is Nicola’s husband Peter Murrell, currently SNP chief executive.
The spokesman added: “Lisa and Stephen have not been together for ten years. The individual is not a direct relative of the First Minister or her husband.
“Even if he says he is Nicola Sturgeon’s nephew, this is not true.”
The Cambridge University Students' Union has been contacted for comment.
The Law Society has also been contacted for comment.
Coyne has deleted his Facebook account and was not available for comment.
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