A university will relaunch a vote on whether to set up a Jewish Society after a row broke out over anti-Semitism.

The University of Essex Students' Union says a new poll will go live tomorrow morning after the previous round of voting was deemed "void" due to non-members participating.

The previous vote, which began on Tuesday, February 12, saw more than 200 votes cast against the proposals.

The Union Of Jewish Students was quick to condemn the number of people voting against the society.

In a statement, the union said: "We are deeply disappointed by the significant proportion of students who have voted against the establishment of a Jewish society at the University of Essex.

“The fact some students at the University of Essex deem it fit to vote against that is quite simply shocking.”

Colchester MP Will Quince also spoke of his disappointment at the number of students voting against plans for a Jewish society.

In a post on Facebook, the Tory said: “Who would vote to block a Jewish society?

“I am a strong advocate and supporter of University of Essex but this is shocking and a terrible advertisement for our university, Colchester and Essex.”

Harwich MP Bernard Jenkin has also spoken on the controversy, adding: "It is utterly deplorable that anyone should seek to prevent a respectable, recognised and established religion from setting up a society in any university.

"I would urge students taking part in the ballot to think about the importance of religious freedom and freedom of speech, of religious tolerance, mutual understanding and respect."

An investigation was launched by the University of Essex Student Union today following growing concerns about anti-Semitism.

A spokesman for the union confirmed a new vote would take place after they were made aware of "irregularities" in the previous poll.

They said: "As soon as this was brought to our attention we investigated and as a result have declared the current vote null and void, due to us no longer being able to ensure the vote has been free and fair.

"This irregularity has now been resolved, and we will open a fresh vote on the ratification of Jewish Society tomorrow which will run for 3 working days as per the Societies Guild constitution. Only members of the Societies Guild will be eligible to vote."

Those seeking to set up a new society at the university must have their proposal ratified by way of a student union vote. Groups which have recently been approved include a Pokemon Go society and a K-Pop society.

The student union went on to state that it rejected any form of hate speech and took all reports of anti-Semitic behaviour "extremely seriously".