The Conservatives are preparing to sever links with all associated university groups after a spate of embarrassing incidents involving student societies, according to a leaked document.

A confidential internal report quoted by The Huffington Post proposes structural changes that would “take risky student politics outside the remit of the Party”, and suggests many associations around the UK could face being effectively disaffiliated.

Under the report’s proposals social activity for youth members “will happen mostly outside official Party activity in non-officially affiliated University Conservative Associations or other interest groups”.

Cambridge University Conservative Association (CUCA) is unusual is that it is not officially affiliated with the party, and CUCA told Varsity it did not believe the changes would affect the organisation.

The report discusses the need to “provide clear and effective structure to how young people will take part in the Party”, and says that “Party related activities will primarily revolve around the work and training of the Party.”

The proposed changes seek to bring “the youth wing firmly into the mainstream Party” so that the Conservatives can “award and discipline youth groups”.

In a statement, CUCA’s Chairman, Henry Mitson, said that the group did not want to comment on proposals that have not yet been adopted but that “In any case, this will not affect CUCA's excellent relationship with the Party.”

“We are looking forward to continuing our campaigning with local associations, welcoming a diverse and engaging lineup of speakers from the Conservative Party, and supporting the Conservative cause in Cambridge and across the UK,” he added.  

The Huffington Post’s report mentions the incident in February this year, in which a member of CUCA’s executive committee, Ronald Coyne, attempted to burn a £20 note in front of a homeless man after attending a dinner. His Association membership was prominently mentioned in several reports, including that of the Cambridge Tab, which first reported the incident. However, though Coyne was a member of the Association’s executive at the time of the incident, the event was not connected to the organisation.

In an open letter, CUCA described the Tab report as a “poorly executed ‘hatchet job’ on CUCA”, and said it “[fell] short of all reasonable journalistic standards”. Coyne was ejected from CUCA’s executive before the incident was first reported.

CUCA was hit by scandal in Easter term two years ago when its women’s officer quit, telling Varsity she had experienced “aggressive sexism” from the group. Eleanor Costello said that she had “faced open ridicule” in the role, which had been created following concerns that some Association members felt unwelcome. CUCA disputed her claims, pointing to previous examples of women serving as part of the group’s executive body, but said a member had been banned from future events.