Oxford Union Future Leader Ousted Due to Charlie Kirk Posts

Student society event
Charlie Kirk and George Abaraonye took part in a debate at the Oxford Union in May

The president-elect of the Oxford Union has been removed from his position after failing a no-confidence vote that followed his disputed online comments about the conservative activist.

The motion against George Abaraonye reached the required super-majority to oust him from his position, according to an statement from the society.

Disputed Comments

The dispute erupted after the student reportedly shared messages on online platforms that appeared to celebrate the death of the American conservative figure, who was shot dead while speaking at a university in the United States.

According to sources, one social media message reportedly read "Charlie Kirk got shot loool" - using an elongated version of the phrase 'lol'.

The student leader is also said to have written in a messaging group with fellow students seeming to welcome the incident.

Vote Outcome

The vote of confidence was conducted over the recent days, with outcomes revealed on this week.

Official notices showed that over twelve hundred votes were cast supporting no confidence, while just over five hundred were opposed the motion.

The notice stated that the future president was considered to have resigned in following the society's regulations.

Society notice
The Oxford Union shared the outcome of the no-confidence vote on this week

Election Controversies

Proceedings were temporarily halted early on the previous day after the returning officer was reportedly subjected to "interference, threats, and inappropriate behavior" from multiple individuals.

In a statement, the student claimed that the count had been stopped because election administrators believed "no valid outcome could be reached as a result of procedural failures".

His statement categorically refuted that any person appointed by the student had engaged in intimidating or disruptive behavior.

Continuing Controversy

The student maintained that significant concerns had been referred to the governing body and that he remained the elected leader.

His comment added that he was "proud and thankful to have the backing of well in excess of a majority of students at Oxford" who supported a "safe election and resist attempts to subvert democracy".

Opponents have argued that any decision to keep him would "signal to the world that the Oxford Union has prioritized politics over principles".

Conservative activist
Charlie Kirk was fatally shot while addressing a university in last month

External Reactions

On Friday, Kirk's former chief of staff presented an open letter to the society on The Charlie Kirk Show podcast.

The message criticized the society of becoming a place where "presidents of the union publicly celebrate the assassination of a political opponent".

The statement indicated that if the student were to remain in post, Kirk's allies would "directly reach out to every U.S. political figure who has ever spoken at the society and urge them never again to lend their name".

The society had earlier condemned Mr Abaraonye's comments after the activist's killing and confirmed that concerns filed against him had been referred for official review.

The student leader had been one of multiple members to discuss with the activist at the union in May.

Shawn Huffman
Shawn Huffman

A passionate mixed-media artist and educator, sharing techniques and stories to inspire creativity in others.