Met Police arrest suspended Oxford student who chanted 'put the Zios in the ground' during pro-Palestine rally

After making the chants, it is understood Oxford University had suspended the student from Tunbridge Wells in Kent.

The outcome of the suspension is dependent on the police investigation.

An Oxford University spokesman condemned the chant "in the strongest possible terms" on Tuesday.

Mr Williams was filmed taking a microphone at the march before leading the chant that he had been "workshopping in Oxford".

He told the crowd: "A steadfast and noble resistance in Palestine and in Gaza to look to, to be inspired by and - I don't want to yap for too long".

"But a chant that we've been workshopping in Oxford that maybe you guys want to join in," the student added.

"It goes 'Gaza, Gaza make us proud, put the Zios in the ground'."

Mr Williams was said to be taking part in the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC)'s National Demonstration for Palestine on Saturday, October 11.

It was days after the first phase of a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas was accepted by both sides.

Before his arrest, The Metropolitan Police had confirmed officers were investigating "chants made at the demonstration in central London on Saturday Oct 11".

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However, Scotland Yard said on Wednesday the man had been arrested.

"Officers investigating chants filmed at a Palestine Coalition demonstration in central London on Saturday, 11 October, have made an arrest," the police said.

"A 20-year-old man was arrested at an address in Oxfordshire on Wednesday, 15 October, on suspicion of inciting racial hatred.

"He remains in police custody."

Oxford University said in a statement that the "precise basis for the arrest has not yet been disclosed" to the institution.

"While the University cannot comment on individual student cases, it has the power to take immediate and proportionate action including, as appropriate, suspending a student from membership of the University, whenever serious concerns are raised," the statement continued.

A university spokesman had previously said: A spokesman said: “The University of Oxford condemns, in the strongest possible terms, any language urging violence against groups of people or expressing any form of racial hatred.“

"The university’s support for freedom of speech does not extend to any statements, including such language."

"When such language is reported, we will always want to speak to the student concerned and consider the matter under our disciplinary procedures in line with university and college policies.

"Oxford is unequivocal - there is no place for antisemitism, harassment, or discrimination within our community.

"We remain firmly committed to protecting the safety and dignity of all our students and staff.”