Voting begins over future of Oxford Union president-elect after Charlie Kirk comment

Members of the Oxford Union are voting in a no-confidence motion in its incoming president, after he was accused of celebrating the fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk.

Voting is under way in person at the debating society, as well as by proxy, with the deadline of 10pm on Saturday. George Abaraonye wrote on social media that he had submitted a motion of no confidence in himself in an attempt to reclaim "true accountability and (reaffirm) that the Oxford Union must remain a place where students can make mistakes, apologise sincerely, and learn from them".

In another post, Mr Abaraonye told members on Saturday: "Today is your opportunity to affirm Free Speech, to stand against the racism of the Far Right, and to stand up for the principles the Union has championed for 200 years. "Two centuries later, the same people who claim to believe in the Union are now acting in stark opposition to the Union's founding principles, by supporting a campaign of harassment, censorship, and abuse.

"We will not be silenced." Mr Abaraonye was elected the next president of the historic debating society earlier this year. But he sparked controversy after writing about the shooting of American right-wing personality Mr Kirk, who was killed while speaking at Utah Valley University in September, in what authorities called a political assassination.

The 31-year-old was an ally of US President Donald Trump and co-founder and chief executive of the right-wing youth organisation Turning Point USA. The Times reported Mr Abaraonye wrote in a WhatsApp chat with fellow students: "Charlie Kirk got shot, let's f****** go"; and another post on Instagram read: "Charlie Kirk got shot loool".

The Oxford Union last month condemned his comments, and instigated disciplinary proceedings. But the society also denounced the racial abuse and threats Mr Abaraonye had faced.

Mr Abaraonye wrote on social media that he had received violent threats and classist and racist harassment. "Some members have raised genuine concerns and done so respectfully," he wrote.

"I am deeply grateful to those who reached out, met with me, and engaged in honest reflection. "But their reasoned voices have been drowned out by bad-faith actors who have twisted my words, clipped my speeches, and fabricated intent to fit a pre-written narrative.".