A SHADOW government minister has angered students by attacking a ban on drink-related initiation ceremonies following the death of a Hampshire undergraduate.

Boris Johnson, shadow education minister, criticised the ban imposed by Exeter University's Athletic Union after 18-year-old Gavin Britton died following a night drinking with campus golf society members.

The business and economics undergraduate, from Barton-on-Sea, was found in a city centre car park on November 27 last year after a night partying with friends.

Gavin, who attended King Edward VI School, was in his first term studying at the university's school of business and economics.

It is thought the teenager was wearing fancy dress and was out drinking alcohol with members of the university's golf club in the hours leading up to his death.

Initiation ceremonies were banned by the Athletic Union's president Richard Soddy, and university club captains, earlier this year.

However Mr Johnson said: ''I am very much against panic bans as a result of some tragic accident.'' ''I think the Athletic Union should get a grip,'' he said.

Mr Soddy said that Mr Johnson ''should be supporting the positive outcomes of this tragic incident, and endorsing the student policies that will bring about an improved and safer experience for those in higher education''.

An inquest into Gavin's death has yet to be held.