Image Credit: Charlie Kirk / YouTube 
The incoming president of the Oxford Union will be disciplined for his comments mocking the death of Charlie Kirk.
George Abaraonye, who will be the president of the prestigious debating society, founded in 1823, celebrated Kirk’s murder just months after the two men had debated at the Union.
“Charlie Kirk got shot, let’s f–king go,” Abaraonye, 20, posted on WhatsApp on Wednesday.
“Charlie Kirk got shot loool,” he posted on Instagram.
The two men went head to head at Union and clashed over questions about the role of men in society.
On Saturday, the Oxford Union revealed the president-elect will face discipline for his “inappropriate remarks;” however, it said won’t be dismissed from his position. Previous holders include former prime ministers Boris Johnson and Tony Blair.
“We emphasize that these are his personal views and not those of the Union, nor do they represent the values of our Institution,” Oxford Union said in a statement posted to X.
“The Oxford Union has always been one of the world’s foremost defenders of free speech. We will continue to defend freedom of expression in all its forms,” the statement read.
The Union added they will review complaints filed against Abaraonye “with the utmost seriousness.”
In response to the backlash against his comments, Abaraonye issued a semi-apology, saying he “reacted impulsively.”
“Those words did not reflect my values,” Abaraonye said.
He went on to say his expression of joy was “shaped” by “Mr Kirk’s own rhetoric.”
“At the same time, my reaction was shaped by the context of Mr. Kirk’s own rhetoric—words that often dismissed or mocked the suffering of others.”
He went on to claim Kirk made “horrific and dehumanising statements” about the LGBTQ and trans community and Hamas.
On Twitter, members of the Oxford Union, led by Allum Bokhari, have been gathering signatures with the aim of forcing a vote of no confidence in Abaraonye.
Bokhari announced on Saturday that he has secured the necessary 150 signatures to force a vote.
“The motion of no confidence will be filed in the first week of the academic term, starting October 12th. Members may submit signatures in support of the motion via email, once the motion has been officially posted.
“Once 150 signatures are reached, this will trigger a vote of no confidence, in which all members will be able to vote.
“I expect this to occur on the weekend of the 18th of October. This will be an in-person vote only, so if you wish to participate you will need to travel to Oxford if you are not currently there.”
