A WOULD-be student president has been slapped down after pledging pints of beer for a penny.

Oliver Graham promised to provide pints of beer and cider for 1p if elected president of the Junior Common Room (JCR) at Durham University’s St Aidan’s College.

His manifesto was removed from display at the college after the authorities ruled it inappropriate. Three students have died and one was rescued from the River Wear in the last 15 months and police say reckless drinking played a part in all four incidents.

Tonight (Monday, February 9), Mr Graham said his “pints for a penny” pledge should be treated in its proper context – a manifesto that also pledged to rent out the college pond as a nuclear fuel reprocessing pool.

“I am well aware of the seriousness of river safety as an issue for students and the local community and outside of my satirical campaign I would strongly oppose any reduction in the price of alcohol,” he said.

Mr Graham had also pledged to stop all electricity and heating for postgraduate students, buy food for formal meals from a pizza takeaway and change the name of all future student presidents to Dan Slavin, the name of the current Durham Students’ Union leader.

A Durham University spokesman said Mr Graham’s pledge was “ill-advised”, particularly in view of recent tragic events, and the university was carrying out a range of actions to promote safe and sensible drinking.

University colleges and bars, unlike other pubs and clubs, operate a minimum alcohol pricing policy.