Oxford University should not remove a controversial statue of Cecil Rhodes from Oriel College, former Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott has said.

Oxford University should not remove a controversial statue of Cecil Rhodes from Oriel College, former Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott has said.

Students say the 19th Century colonialist's views are against the "inclusive culture" at the university.

Oriel College, which Rhodes attended, has agreed to remove a commemorative plaque in response to the campaign.

Mr Abbott, a Rhodes Scholar, said removing the statue would "substitute moral vanity for fair-minded enquiry".

Oxford University's Rhodes Scholarship is funded thanks to a legacy left after his death in 1902.

The #RhodesMustFall movement began in South Africa, where students succeeded in having a statue of the diamond tycoon and colonial-era leader removed from the University of Cape Town.

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Former Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott says Oxford University should not remove a controversial statue of Cecil Rhodes from Oriel College.
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