TRADITIONAL Mexican hats got the boot during a university freshers’ fair last week after the student union decided that the sombrero was potentially “racist.”

The University of East Anglia (UEA) welcome event turned sour when Norwich Tex-Mex restaurant Pedro’s decided to hand out free sombreros at its stand.

Union democracy officer Chris Jarvis said that the union’s priority was that students felt safe and accepted.

“At all events we try to ensure that there is no behaviour, language or imagery which could be considered racist, sexist, homophobic, transphobic or ableist,” he said.

“All our stallholders were sent a copy of our advertising policy prior to the event and given a copy on the day, so we’re confident that all stallholders should have been aware of our restrictions on advertising in relation to equal opportunities and cultural appropriation.”