Student Society Future Leader Removed Following Charlie Kirk Comments
The president-elect of the prestigious debating society has been ousted from office after failing a vote of confidence that followed his controversial social media posts about the conservative activist.
The vote against George Abaraonye reached the required super-majority to oust him from his position, according to an announcement from the organization.
Disputed Comments
The controversy erupted after the student reportedly shared messages on social media that seemed to celebrate the death of the American conservative figure, who was shot dead while addressing a university in the United States.
According to reports, one social media message reportedly stated "Charlie Kirk got shot loool" - using an extended form of the acronym for 'laughing out loud'.
The student leader is also reported to have written in a messaging group with fellow students seeming to welcome the incident.
Vote Outcome
The vote of confidence took place over the recent days, with results announced on Tuesday.
Official notices indicated that over twelve hundred votes were cast in favor of no confidence, while just over five hundred were against the motion.
The notice confirmed that the president-elect was considered to have resigned in accordance with the Oxford Union's rules.
Procedural Disputes
Voting operations were informally suspended early on Monday after the returning officer was reportedly subjected to "interference, threats, and inappropriate behavior" from several representatives.
In a response, the student claimed that the count had been stopped because electoral officials believed "no legitimate and true result could be reached as a result of procedural failures".
His statement categorically refuted that any person acting for the student had participated in intimidating or disruptive behavior.
Continuing Controversy
The president-elect stated that extremely serious issues had been submitted to the governing body and that he continued as the elected leader.
His statement added that he was "proud and thankful to have the support of significantly more than half of university members" who supported a "secure voting process and oppose efforts to undermine the electoral process".
Critics have argued that any decision to keep him would "demonstrate internationally that the society has prioritized politics over principles".
External Reactions
On Friday, Kirk's former chief of staff read out an open letter to the society on The Charlie Kirk Show broadcast.
The letter accused the society of becoming a place where "presidents of the union openly applaud the killing of a political opponent".
The communication indicated that if Mr Abaraonye were to keep his position, supporters would "personally contact every American political speaker who has ever graced the union's chamber and advise them against future participation".
The Oxford Union had previously criticized Mr Abaraonye's remarks after Kirk's death and stated that concerns submitted about him had been referred for official review.
The president-elect had been one of multiple members to debate with Kirk at the society in spring.