Student Society Future Leader Ousted Following Conservative Activist Comments

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

The future president of the Oxford Union has been ousted from office after losing a no-confidence vote that followed his controversial social media posts about the conservative activist.

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

Disputed Comments

The controversy erupted after Mr Abaraonye reportedly posted messages on online platforms that appeared to welcome the death of the American conservative figure, who was shot dead while speaking at a university in the United States.

According to sources, 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 said to have posted in a messaging group with fellow students appearing to welcome the incident.

Vote Outcome

The no-confidence motion was conducted over the weekend, with outcomes revealed on Tuesday.

Official notices indicated that 1,228 ballots were cast supporting removal, while just over five hundred were against the motion.

The notice confirmed that the future president was deemed to have stepped down in accordance with the Oxford Union's rules.

Society notice
The student society announced the result of the no-confidence vote on this week

Election Controversies

Voting operations were temporarily halted early on Monday after the returning officer was reportedly subjected to "obstruction, intimidation, and unwarranted hostility" from several representatives.

In a statement, Mr Abaraonye asserted that the vote tally had been stopped because election administrators believed "no legitimate and true result could be reached as a result of procedural failures".

His response categorically refuted that any representative acting for the student had participated in intimidating or disruptive behavior.

Ongoing Dispute

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

His statement added that George was "proud and thankful to have the backing of significantly more than half of university members" who voted to have a "secure voting process and resist attempts to subvert democracy".

Critics have said that any decision to keep him would "signal to the world that the society has prioritized politics over principles".

Charlie Kirk speaking
The conservative activist was shot dead while addressing a university in September

External Responses

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

The message criticized the union of becoming a institution where "student leaders publicly celebrate the assassination of a political opponent".

The communication indicated that if Mr Abaraonye 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 advise them against future participation".

The Oxford Union had earlier criticized the student's comments after Kirk's death and stated that concerns submitted about him had been forwarded for disciplinary proceedings.

The president-elect had been one of several students to debate with Kirk at the union in spring.

David Wilson
David Wilson

A travel enthusiast and writer passionate about uncovering hidden gems in Italy's northern regions.