The Government will suspend all engagement with the National Union of Students (NUS) over anti-Semitism allegations, the education minister has said.
Michelle Donelan announced a package of measures, meaning the union will receive no government funding. It will also be removed from all Department for Education student groups and replaced by alternative student representation.
The move comes after a series of anti-Semitism rows involving the NUS, including controversy over the social media posts of its incoming president.
Ms Donelan said: "I am horrified by the thought of Jewish students feeling ostracised by an organisation which should be a voice for their community and an advocate of equality for all students.
"Although this was a decision that the department did not take lightly, we have been clear that anti-Semitism must be stamped out of the sector and are treating these allegations with the utmost seriousness."
Earlier this year, Shaima Dallali was elected as the new leader of the organisation, which aims to represent the interests of more than seven million students across 600 student unions in the UK.
However, a series of tweets posted by Ms Dallali provoked anger among groups tackling anti-Semitism, who called for her to meet with Jewish students and “build bridges”.
Her posts included comments showing apparent sympathy towards Hamas and quoting an anti-Jewish battle cry.
