Oxford Union President-Elect Ousted Following Charlie Kirk Posts
The president-elect of the prestigious debating society has been ousted from office after losing a vote of confidence that followed his disputed online comments about Charlie Kirk.
The motion against the student leader achieved the necessary two-thirds threshold to oust him from his position, according to an statement from the society.
Contentious Posts
The dispute began after the student reportedly posted messages on social media that appeared to welcome the killing of the American conservative figure, who was shot dead while speaking at a university in Utah.
According to sources, one social media message reportedly read "Charlie Kirk got shot loool" - using an extended form of the acronym for 'laughing out loud'.
The student leader is also said to have written in a messaging group with fellow students appearing to express approval of the event.
Vote Outcome
The no-confidence motion was conducted over the weekend, with outcomes announced on this week.
Society announcements indicated that 1,228 ballots were cast in favor of removal, while 501 were against the motion.
The notice stated that the president-elect was deemed to have resigned in accordance with the Oxford Union's rules.
Procedural Disputes
Proceedings were informally suspended early on the previous day after the election official was reportedly subjected to "interference, threats, and inappropriate behavior" from several representatives.
In a response, Mr Abaraonye asserted that the vote tally had been halted because electoral officials believed "no valid outcome could be reached as a result of process errors".
His statement categorically refuted that any person appointed by the student had engaged in intimidating or disruptive behavior.
Ongoing Dispute
The student stated that significant concerns had been referred to the disciplinary committee and that he continued as president-elect.
His statement added that George was "proud and thankful to have the backing of significantly more than half of students at Oxford" who supported a "safe election and oppose efforts to undermine the electoral process".
Opponents have argued that any decision to keep him would "demonstrate internationally that the society has chosen ideology over integrity".
External Responses
On Friday, Kirk's former chief of staff read out an public message to the Oxford Union on The Charlie Kirk Show broadcast.
The letter accused the union of becoming a place where "presidents of the union openly applaud the assassination of a ideological rival".
The communication warned that if the student were to keep his position, supporters would "personally contact every U.S. political figure who has ever spoken at the society and urge them never again to lend their name".
The Oxford Union had previously criticized the student's remarks after Kirk's death and stated that complaints filed against him had been referred for official review.
The student leader had been one of several students to discuss with the activist at the society in spring.