Oxford Union Future Leader Ousted Following Charlie Kirk Comments
The president-elect of the prestigious debating society has been ousted from office after losing a no-confidence vote that came after his disputed social media posts about the conservative activist.
The vote against the student leader achieved the required super-majority to oust him from his position, according to an announcement from the society.
Disputed Comments
The dispute began after the student reportedly shared messages on online platforms that seemed to welcome the killing of the American conservative figure, who was fatally shot while speaking at a university in Utah.
According to reports, one Instagram post reportedly read "Charlie Kirk got shot loool" - using an extended form of the acronym for 'laughing out loud'.
The president-elect is also reported to have posted in a messaging group with other members seeming to express approval of the event.
Vote Outcome
The vote of confidence was conducted over the recent days, with outcomes announced on Tuesday.
Society announcements indicated that 1,228 ballots were cast in favor of removal, while 501 were against the motion.
The announcement stated that the president-elect was considered to have stepped down in following the Oxford Union's rules.
Procedural Disputes
Proceedings were temporarily halted early on the previous day after the election official was reportedly subjected to "obstruction, intimidation, and unwarranted hostility" from several representatives.
In a statement, Mr Abaraonye asserted that the count had been halted because electoral officials believed "no legitimate and true result could be reached as a result of procedural failures".
His statement unequivocally denied that any representative acting for the student had engaged in intimidating or disruptive behavior.
Continuing Controversy
The president-elect maintained that extremely serious issues had been referred to the governing body and that he continued as the elected leader.
His statement added that George was "proud and thankful to have the support of well in excess of a majority of university members" who supported 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 Oxford Union has chosen ideology over integrity".
External Responses
On Friday, Kirk's former chief of staff presented an public message to the society on The Charlie Kirk Show broadcast.
The letter criticized the union of becoming a place where "student leaders openly applaud the assassination of a ideological rival".
The statement indicated that if the student were to keep his position, supporters would "directly reach out to 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 Kirk's death and stated that complaints filed against him had been forwarded for disciplinary proceedings.
The president-elect had been one of multiple members to debate with Kirk at the union in spring.