Oxford Union Future Leader Removed Due to Conservative Activist Comments

Oxford Union debate
Charlie Kirk and George Abaraonye took part in a debate at the student society in spring

The future president 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 achieved the required two-thirds threshold to oust him from his position, according to an statement from the society.

Contentious Posts

The controversy erupted after Mr Abaraonye reportedly posted messages on social media that seemed to celebrate the death of the American conservative figure, who was shot dead while speaking at 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 written 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 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 notice stated that the future president was considered to have resigned in accordance with the society's regulations.

Society notice
The Oxford Union announced the result of the no-confidence vote on Tuesday morning

Election Controversies

Voting operations were temporarily halted early on Monday after the election official was allegedly subjected to "interference, threats, and inappropriate behavior" from several representatives.

In a response, Mr Abaraonye asserted that the count had been halted because election administrators believed "no legitimate and true result could be reached as a result of process errors".

His response unequivocally denied that any person acting for the student had engaged in intimidating or disruptive behavior.

Continuing Controversy

The student maintained that significant concerns had been submitted to the governing body and that he continued as the elected leader.

His statement added that he was "proud and thankful to have the support of well in excess of a majority of university members" who supported a "secure voting process and resist attempts to subvert democracy".

Opponents have argued that any decision to keep him would "signal to the world that the society has chosen ideology over integrity".

Charlie Kirk speaking
Charlie Kirk was fatally shot while speaking at a university in September

External Reactions

On Friday, Mikey McCoy read out an open letter to the society on The Charlie Kirk Show broadcast.

The message criticized the union of becoming a institution where "presidents of the union openly applaud the killing of a ideological rival".

The statement 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 graced the union's chamber and advise them against future participation".

The society had earlier criticized the student'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 the activist at the union in May.

Mark Fox
Mark Fox

A tech enthusiast and digital strategist with over a decade of experience in emerging technologies and innovation.