Oxford Union Future Leader Removed Due to Charlie Kirk Posts

The future president of the Oxford Union has been removed from his position after losing a no-confidence vote that came after his controversial social media posts about Charlie Kirk.

The motion against George Abaraonye achieved the required two-thirds threshold to oust him from his position, according to an announcement from the organization.

Disputed Comments

The controversy erupted after the student reportedly posted messages on online platforms that appeared to celebrate the death of Charlie Kirk, who was shot dead while addressing a college in the United States.

According to reports, one social media message 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 posted in a messaging group with fellow students appearing to welcome the incident.

Election Results

The vote of confidence took place over the recent days, with results revealed on Tuesday.

Official notices showed that 1,228 ballots were cast supporting no confidence, while 501 were opposed the motion.

The announcement stated that the president-elect was deemed to have stepped down in following the Oxford Union's rules.

Procedural Disputes

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

In a statement, Mr Abaraonye asserted 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 representative acting for George had engaged in threatening or obstructive conduct.

Ongoing Dispute

The president-elect stated that extremely serious issues had been referred to the disciplinary committee and that he continued as president-elect.

His comment added that George was "grateful and honored to have the support of well in excess of a majority of university members" who supported a "secure voting process and resist attempts to subvert democracy".

Critics have said that any failure to remove him would "demonstrate internationally that the Oxford Union has prioritized politics over principles".

External Responses

On Friday, Kirk's former chief of staff read out an open letter to the society on a related program podcast.

The message criticized the society of becoming a place where "presidents of the union openly applaud the killing of a political opponent".

The communication 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 graced the union's chamber and urge them never again to lend their name".

The Oxford Union had previously criticized Mr Abaraonye's comments after the activist's killing and stated that concerns submitted about him had been forwarded for disciplinary proceedings.

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