🔗 Share this article Student Society President-Elect Removed Following Charlie Kirk Posts 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 failing a vote of confidence that followed his controversial social media posts about Charlie Kirk. The motion against George Abaraonye reached the necessary super-majority to remove him from office, according to an statement from the society. Contentious Posts The controversy began after Mr Abaraonye reportedly posted messages on online platforms that appeared to celebrate the killing of the American conservative figure, who was fatally shot while speaking at a college in Utah. According to reports, one social media message reportedly read "Charlie Kirk got shot loool" - using an extended form of the acronym for 'laughing out loud'. The student leader is also reported to have written in a messaging group with other members appearing to express approval of the event. Vote Outcome The vote of confidence took place over the weekend, with outcomes announced on Tuesday. Society announcements indicated that over twelve hundred votes were cast in favor of no confidence, while 501 were opposed the motion. The announcement stated that the president-elect was deemed to have stepped down in accordance with the society's regulations. The student society shared the result of the no-confidence vote on Tuesday morning Procedural Disputes Voting operations were informally suspended early on Monday after the election official was reportedly subjected to "interference, threats, and inappropriate behavior" from multiple individuals. In a response, Mr Abaraonye claimed that the vote tally had been stopped because electoral officials believed "no valid outcome could be reached as a result of procedural failures". His statement unequivocally denied that any representative acting for George had engaged in threatening or obstructive conduct. Continuing Controversy The student stated that extremely serious issues had been referred to the disciplinary committee and that he remained the elected leader. His comment added that George was "proud and thankful to have the support of significantly more than half of university members" who supported a "secure voting process and resist attempts to subvert democracy". Opponents have said that any decision to keep him would "demonstrate internationally that the Oxford Union has prioritized politics over principles". The conservative activist was shot dead while addressing a university in last month External Responses On recently, Mikey McCoy read out an public message to the society on The Charlie Kirk Show broadcast. The letter criticized the society of becoming a institution where "student leaders openly applaud the killing of a ideological rival". The statement warned that if the student were to remain in post, Kirk's allies would "personally contact every U.S. political figure who has ever graced the union's chamber and advise them against future participation". The society had earlier condemned Mr Abaraonye'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 discuss with Kirk at the union in May.