National Union of Students president tells critics to f*** off’ in Facebook post amid no-confidence motions

The president of the National Union of Students (NUS) has told her critics to “f*** off” in a Facebook post after facing motions of no confidence to remove her from the role.

Shakira Martin described the presidency as an “awful job” and said she did not give two “s***s” about some student unions across the country who have called for her to step down.

Campaigners, including the Student Left Network, have been pushing for a motion of no confidence in Ms Martin after criticism of cost-cutting measures proposed by the NUS.

In an effort to plug the projected £3m deficit facing the union, one of the proposals was to get rid of liberation officers who look after the underrepresented – including transgender students.

In a now-deleted post on her personal Facebook page, Ms Martin, who has been in the role for two years, said she "couldn't give two s***s" about the critics, according to student website The Tab.

The mother-of-two wrote about the pressures of trying to juggle the demanding role with looking after her two children.

It said: “Unions can continue to submit motion to VOTE NO CONFIDENCE in me* I'm gonna be 100% honest, I couldn't give 2 s***s.

"What I should have been doing instead of focusing on this awful job is focusing on my children, that way my girls would have been protected.

"But no, because I have been running around like some fool putting NUS before my girls I have failed my youths and now they are schoolless.”

She added: "I literally have 20 weeks left in this joke of a role and I swear none of you ungrateful people are counting down the weeks more than me.

“Keep putting in your motions* you'll be lucky if I even turn up for conference at this rate.

"Now in the most professional way possible, F*** OFF."

In November, the NUS warned its members to prepare for spending cuts amid severe financial difficulties.

Since the announcement, Ms Martin has been at the centre of the backlash despite the NUS saying that cuts were needed to avoid insolvency.

Documents leaked to the i last year revealed that the NUS would go bankrupt by spring unless it undertook major steps to raise money.

In January last year, Ms Martin claimed she had been a victim of “racism and classism” after allegations of bullying and intimidation were made against her.

A NUS spokesperson said: "The message was posted to a private Facebook account and has since been deleted, therefore NUS has no further comment."

The Independent has approached Ms Martin for a comment.

Additional reporting by SWNS