🔗 Share this article Oxford Union President-Elect Ousted Due to Charlie Kirk Posts Charlie Kirk and George Abaraonye took part in a debate at the student society in May The president-elect of the Oxford Union has been ousted from office after failing a no-confidence vote that followed his controversial social media posts about Charlie Kirk. The vote against the student leader achieved the necessary super-majority to remove him from office, according to an announcement from the society. Disputed Comments The controversy erupted after the student reportedly posted messages on online platforms that appeared to celebrate the death of Charlie Kirk, who was fatally shot while addressing a university 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 messaging group with other members appearing to express approval of the event. Vote Outcome The no-confidence motion took place over the weekend, with results revealed on this week. Society announcements indicated that 1,228 ballots were cast supporting removal, while just over five hundred were opposed the motion. The announcement confirmed that the president-elect was considered to have resigned in accordance with the society's regulations. The student society announced the outcome of the confidence motion on Tuesday morning Procedural Disputes Voting operations were informally suspended early on Monday after the returning officer was reportedly subjected to "obstruction, intimidation, and unwarranted hostility" from multiple individuals. In a response, Mr Abaraonye claimed that the count had been stopped because electoral officials believed "no legitimate and true result could be reached as a result of process errors". His response unequivocally denied that any person appointed by George had participated in threatening or obstructive conduct. Ongoing Dispute The student stated that significant concerns had been submitted to the disciplinary committee and that he continued as president-elect. His comment added that he was "proud and thankful to have the support of well in excess of a majority of university members" who voted to have a "secure voting process and resist attempts to subvert democracy". Opponents have said that any failure to remove him would "demonstrate internationally that the Oxford Union has chosen ideology over integrity". The conservative activist was shot dead while speaking at a college in September External Reactions On recently, Kirk's former chief of staff read out an public message to the society on a related program broadcast. The message criticized the society of becoming a place where "presidents of the union openly applaud the killing of a political opponent". The communication warned that if Mr Abaraonye were to remain in post, Kirk's allies would "directly reach out to 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 previously condemned the student's remarks after the activist's killing and stated that concerns submitted about him had been referred for official review. The president-elect had been one of multiple members to discuss with the activist at the union in spring.