Oxford Union President-Elect Ousted Due to Conservative Activist Posts
The president-elect of the Oxford Union has been removed from his position after losing a vote of confidence that followed his disputed social media posts about Charlie Kirk.
The motion against George Abaraonye reached the necessary super-majority to remove him from office, according to an statement from the organization.
Contentious Posts
The dispute began after Mr Abaraonye reportedly shared messages on online platforms that appeared to welcome the killing of Charlie Kirk, who was shot dead while addressing a university in the United States.
According to reports, one social media message reportedly stated "Charlie Kirk got shot loool" - using an extended form 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 express approval of the event.
Vote Outcome
The vote of confidence took place over the weekend, with outcomes revealed on Tuesday.
Society announcements indicated that over twelve hundred votes were cast in favor of removal, while just over five hundred were against the motion.
The announcement confirmed that the future president was deemed to have stepped down in following the society's regulations.
Election Controversies
Voting operations were informally suspended early on Monday after the election official was allegedly subjected to "interference, threats, and inappropriate behavior" from multiple individuals.
In a statement, the student asserted that the count had been stopped because electoral officials believed "no valid outcome could be reached as a result of procedural failures".
His statement categorically refuted that any person appointed by George had participated in intimidating or disruptive behavior.
Ongoing Dispute
The president-elect maintained that significant concerns had been submitted to the disciplinary committee and that he continued as the elected leader.
His statement added that he was "proud and thankful to have the backing of well in excess of a majority of university members" who supported a "safe election and resist attempts to subvert democracy".
Critics have argued that any decision to keep him would "signal to the world that the society has chosen ideology over integrity".
External Reactions
On Friday, Kirk's former chief of staff presented an public message to the society on The Charlie Kirk Show broadcast.
The letter accused the society of becoming a place where "presidents of the union openly applaud the killing of a political opponent".
The statement indicated that if Mr Abaraonye were to keep his position, Kirk's allies would "personally contact 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 earlier criticized the student's comments after Kirk's death and confirmed that concerns submitted about him had been referred for official review.
The student leader had been one of multiple members to debate with the activist at the society in spring.
