A university newspaper is under fire after it published a disrespectful cover after the death of the Queen.

Sydney University’s student newspaper Honi Soit photoshopped an image, on its front page, of the Queen lying in a morgue with King Charles identifying her body beneath the words “Queen dead, Charles next”.

Sydney Uni said in a statement that it “champions free speech” despite understanding “many will consider it in terrible taste”. (Full statement below)

Part of students’ $300 yearly fees goes to funding the paper.

Sydney Uni student William told Ben Fordham it’s “beyond the pale”.

“We’re funding that garbage.”

Press PLAY below to hear the full interview 

UNIVERSITY OF SYDNEY FULL STATEMENT:

“Honi Soit is published by the Student Representative Council and all editorial decisions are made by the Honi Soit editorial team, independently of the University.

“This cover appears to be a deliberate attempt to shock and create attention as student newspapers have always done, and we understand many will consider it in terrible taste. 

“We also recognise one of our fundamental roles as a university is to champion free speech and be a place where ideas can be freely discussed, including those that some may view as controversial or offensive.”

Image: Getty/Sean Gallup