Sackings follow online leak of sex act at University of Exeter ball

Members of staff at the students' union at the University of Exeter have been sacked after CCTV footage was leaked showing students engaged in sexual activity at an event intended to promote safe sex.

More than one employee of the Students' Guild at the Russell Group university was held responsible for filming and sharing the footage of the couple in the student bar during the Safer Sex Ball.

Guild senior management confirmed it had taken the "strongest possible" disciplinary action over the leaked footage following a "rigorous" investigation. It refused to say how many staff had been dismissed.

A spokesman said: "We have identified the individuals involved, and in light of the seriousness of the breach have taken the strongest possible disciplinary action." It added that it was "deeply saddened" over the security breach.

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The university said it was still discussing the incident with the Students' Guild. Devon and Cornwall Police said the parties responsible for putting the CCTV footage on the internet and those involved in the sexual activity could face prosecution. Many students have apparently watched the video on the internet since the New Year.

Hundreds of students attended the late-night ball in December.

Prior to the event, dozens of academics and university staff petitioned against a "tribal" theme – dubbed racist by some students.

Last year organisers were forced to apologise over an "incredibly insensitive" rape joke which was printed to publicise the event.

The 21-year-old charity ball is one of the country's biggest Aids-awareness events – raising thousands of pounds for charity each year.

No assurances have been made over the future of the event by either the Guild or the university.