Oxford Union President-Elect Ousted Due to Charlie Kirk Posts
The future president of the prestigious debating society has been ousted from office after losing a no-confidence vote that followed his disputed social media posts about Charlie Kirk.
The vote against the student leader achieved the required super-majority to oust him from his position, according to an statement from the society.
Contentious Posts
The controversy erupted after the student 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 college in Utah.
According to sources, one social media message 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 WhatsApp chat with other members appearing to welcome the incident.
Vote Outcome
The vote of confidence was conducted over the recent days, with outcomes announced on this week.
Society announcements indicated that over twelve hundred votes were cast in favor of removal, while just over five hundred were opposed the motion.
The notice confirmed that the future president was considered to have resigned in accordance with the society's regulations.
Procedural Disputes
Proceedings were temporarily halted early on the previous day after the election official was reportedly subjected to "interference, threats, and inappropriate behavior" from multiple individuals.
In a statement, the student claimed that the count had been halted because electoral officials believed "no legitimate and true result could be reached as a result of process errors".
His response unequivocally denied that any representative acting for the student had participated in threatening or obstructive conduct.
Continuing Controversy
The student stated that significant concerns had been submitted to the governing body and that he remained president-elect.
His comment added that George was "grateful and honored to have the support of significantly more than half of students at Oxford" who supported a "secure voting process and resist attempts to subvert democracy".
Critics have argued that any failure to remove him would "demonstrate internationally that the society has prioritized politics over principles".
External Reactions
On Friday, Kirk's former chief of staff read out an open letter to the Oxford Union on The Charlie Kirk Show broadcast.
The message criticized the society of becoming a institution where "presidents of the union openly applaud the killing of a ideological rival".
The statement warned that if the student 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 society had earlier criticized Mr Abaraonye's remarks after the activist's killing and stated that complaints filed against 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 May.