Arms protesters picket student ball

By Hannah Bayman BBC News Online, Southampton

It is a rare demonstration that has a black-tie dress code for protesters.

But students picketing this year's Southampton University graduation ball wore silk gowns, pearls and hats - and that was just the men.

Revellers were greeted by demonstrators almost as smartly dressed as them, angry that the event was sponsored by the defence company BAe Systems.

We don't want to spoil anyone's fun - we are saying have a nice time, but show your dissent to the student union

Les Gibbon

Protester Andy Lawson, a philosophy student, told BBC News Online: "I am graduating this year but I can't celebrate at the ball because I refuse to associate with something effectively paid for by death."

Some 1,200 students paid up to £48 each for the evening of dinner and dancing at Southampton Guildhall on Monday, with another 1,000 expected at a second ball on Tuesday.

Sam Wade, a social work student, said: "The university should have an ethical sponsorship policy."

Les Gibbon, a social worker and graduate of Southampton University, said: "BAe Systems are sponsoring this ball - but they are also sponsoring war in other countries.

"In Indonesia, BAe Hawk jets have recently been used to bomb Aceh.

Protesters in ball gowns pretended to die on the steps of the Guildhall

"We don't want to spoil anyone's fun - we are saying have a nice time, but show your dissent to the student union."

Vicki McManus, the university's marketing manager, said: "The union had no policy against any company and BAe Systems are a graduate recruiter at Southampton, which is why they were associated with the ball.

"The union is run by students and if they decide not to accept a particular company in future, we will go along with what they say."

BAe Systems donated £250 towards the event, which was also sponsored by Endsleigh Insurance and Moss Bros.