Oxford Union Future Leader Ousted Due to Charlie Kirk Posts
The future president of the prestigious debating society has been ousted from office after failing a vote of confidence that came after his disputed online comments about Charlie Kirk.
The motion against the student leader reached the necessary super-majority to oust him from his position, according to an statement from the organization.
Contentious Posts
The controversy began after the student reportedly shared messages on social media that appeared to celebrate the death of the American conservative figure, who was shot dead while speaking at a college in the United States.
According to reports, one social media message reportedly read "Charlie Kirk got shot loool" - using an elongated version of the phrase 'lol'.
The president-elect is also said to have posted in a WhatsApp chat with fellow students appearing to express approval of the event.
Vote Outcome
The vote of confidence was conducted over the recent days, with results revealed on Tuesday.
Society announcements showed that over twelve hundred votes were cast in favor of removal, while 501 were opposed the motion.
The notice stated that the future president was considered to have resigned in following the society's regulations.
Procedural Disputes
Voting operations were temporarily halted early on the previous day after the returning officer was allegedly subjected to "interference, threats, and inappropriate behavior" from several representatives.
In a response, the student claimed that the vote tally had been halted because electoral officials believed "no legitimate and true result could be reached as a result of process errors".
His statement categorically refuted that any representative appointed by George had participated in threatening or obstructive conduct.
Ongoing Dispute
The student stated that significant concerns had been referred to the governing body and that he remained president-elect.
His statement added that George was "grateful and honored to have the support of well in excess of a majority of university members" who voted to have a "safe election and resist attempts to subvert democracy".
Opponents have argued that any failure to remove him would "signal to the world that the Oxford Union has chosen ideology over integrity".
External Reactions
On Friday, Kirk's former chief of staff presented an public message to the society on a related program broadcast.
The message accused the union of becoming a institution where "presidents of the union openly applaud the killing of a political opponent".
The communication indicated that if the student were to keep his position, supporters would "personally contact every American political speaker who has ever graced the union's chamber and urge them never again to lend their name".
The Oxford Union had earlier condemned Mr Abaraonye's remarks after Kirk's death and confirmed that concerns filed against him had been forwarded for disciplinary proceedings.
The student leader had been one of several students to discuss with Kirk at the union in spring.