Student Society Future Leader Ousted Following Charlie Kirk Comments
The future president of the prestigious debating society has been removed from his position after failing a no-confidence vote that came after his disputed social media posts about Charlie Kirk.
The vote against the student leader reached the necessary super-majority to remove him from office, according to an announcement from the organization.
Disputed Comments
The controversy began after the student reportedly shared messages on social media that appeared to celebrate the killing of the American conservative figure, who was fatally shot while addressing a university in Utah.
According to sources, one social media message reportedly stated "Charlie Kirk got shot loool" - using an elongated version of the phrase 'lol'.
The president-elect is also reported to have posted in a messaging group with fellow students seeming to express approval of the event.
Election Results
The vote of confidence was conducted over the recent days, with results revealed on this week.
Official notices indicated that 1,228 ballots were cast in favor of removal, while 501 were against the motion.
The notice stated that the future president was considered to have resigned in following the Oxford Union's rules.
Procedural Disputes
Proceedings were informally suspended early on the previous day after the returning officer was reportedly subjected to "interference, threats, and inappropriate behavior" from several representatives.
In a statement, Mr Abaraonye asserted that the vote tally had been stopped 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 student stated that significant concerns had been submitted to the governing body and that he remained president-elect.
His comment added that he was "proud and thankful to have the support of well in excess of a majority of students at Oxford" who voted to have a "safe election and oppose efforts to undermine the electoral process".
Critics have argued that any decision to keep him would "signal to the world that the Oxford Union 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 a related program broadcast.
The letter criticized the society of becoming a place where "student leaders openly applaud the assassination of a ideological rival".
The communication indicated that if the student were to remain in post, supporters would "personally contact every American political speaker who has ever graced the union's chamber and advise them against future participation".
The society had earlier condemned the student's comments after the activist's killing and stated that concerns filed against him had been forwarded for disciplinary proceedings.
The student leader had been one of multiple members to debate with Kirk at the society in spring.