The former dean of graduates at Bill Clinton's Oxford college has angrily criticised the system that led to the shaming of the President.

Few people at the President's old college, University College, took greater pleasure in Clinton's rise to political prominence than Dr George Cawkwell.

But Dr Cawkwell was clearly appalled at the humiliating course of events, which could yet lead to impeachment.

Dr Cawkwell, of Moreton Road, Oxford, said: "It has made America look somewhat ridiculous. The whole thing is an awful mess.

"I really do not think it should have been allowed to get to this situation. I have very strong feelings about this.

"But I cannot comment on President Clinton because he is an honorary fellow of this college," he added.

The former dean has always been a generous Clinton supporter, describing him as "an amiable person, whose record at the college was absolutely impeccable". When allegations were first made that Clinton came to Oxford in 1968 to avoid being sent to Vietnam, Dr Cawkwell was one of his staunchest supporters, telling the Oxford Mail: "He was not a draft dodger. All the Americans here at the time were agonised by Vietnam."

Some visitors to Rhodes House in South Parks Road, where Clinton was a Rhodes Scholar, have asked if a large portrait of the American President is still on display.

A porter said: "We say that it is staying up because he is still President. We recently had a large party of Americans here. Only one-in-six thought he ought to go."

The President visited both University College and Rhodes House during his visit to Oxford with wife Hillary in June 1994.

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