Oxford Union Future Leader Removed Following Conservative Activist Comments
The future president of the prestigious debating society has been ousted from office after failing a no-confidence vote that followed his controversial online comments about the conservative activist.
The motion against George Abaraonye achieved the required super-majority to oust him from his position, according to an announcement from the organization.
Disputed Comments
The controversy erupted after Mr Abaraonye reportedly posted messages on online platforms that seemed to welcome the killing of Charlie Kirk, who was fatally shot while addressing a college in Utah.
According to reports, one Instagram post reportedly stated "Charlie Kirk got shot loool" - using an elongated version of the acronym for 'laughing out loud'.
The president-elect is also reported to have written in a messaging group with fellow students appearing to express approval of the event.
Vote Outcome
The vote of confidence took place over the weekend, with results revealed on Tuesday.
Society announcements showed that over twelve hundred votes were cast supporting removal, while just over five hundred were against the motion.
The notice confirmed that the president-elect was considered to have resigned in following the Oxford Union's rules.
Election Controversies
Voting operations were informally suspended early on Monday after the returning officer was reportedly subjected to "interference, threats, and inappropriate behavior" from multiple individuals.
In a statement, Mr Abaraonye claimed that the vote tally 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 participated in intimidating or disruptive behavior.
Continuing Controversy
The student stated that extremely serious issues had been submitted to the disciplinary committee and that he continued as the elected leader.
His comment added that George was "grateful and honored to have the support of significantly more than half of students at Oxford" who voted to have a "safe election and oppose efforts to undermine the electoral process".
Opponents have said that any failure to remove him would "demonstrate internationally that the society has chosen ideology over integrity".
External Reactions
On Friday, Kirk's former chief of staff read out an public message to the society on The Charlie Kirk Show podcast.
The letter criticized the society of becoming a institution where "presidents of the union openly applaud the assassination of a ideological rival".
The communication warned that if the student were to remain in post, Kirk's allies 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 earlier condemned Mr Abaraonye's comments after the activist's killing and confirmed that complaints submitted about him had been referred for official review.
The president-elect had been one of multiple members to discuss with the activist at the union in spring.