About 100 Students occupied the historic quad at St Edmund Hall, Oxford, for a sit-down protest.

They ignored "keep off the grass" signs and sat on the lawn in protest at the resignation of outspoken principal Sir Stephen Tumim.

College junior common room president John Houghton said: "We think he has been a good principal and worked really hard to improve communication with the students.

"We are unhappy with the way the situation was handled. It is a very sensitive issue and a lot of people found out through the press first."

Sir Stephen quit after the college's fellows passed a motion asking him to step down.

The resignation, and Sir Stephen's acceptance of a six-figure pay-off, followed months of disagreement between him and the dons.

Students held the sit-in at the college in protest at the dons' actions. "There is a feeling of mistrust and suspicion," added Mr Houghton.

Second-year student Cee Brandson added: "We are annoyed at the way we have been treated.

"Some people say this is an empty protest, but if they had told us before we could have made it known we were not happy about it."

First-year student Sam Prince said Sir Stephen often fought the students' corner, on one occasion finding Far Eastern students a place to live when the college fellows could not help.

Yesterday's sit-down protest was a peaceful affair with some students, relaxing after exams, sipping from champagne bottles.

College Dean Dr Christopher Phelps said the protest had taught the college a lesson in public relations, but added: "It is rather inconsequential. It is a damp squib."

He was more concerned with the students damaging the beautiful college lawns.

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