The Oxford Union has condemned comments made by its incoming president, George Abaraonye, about the shooting of Charlie Kirk.
Kirk, a 31-year-old free-speech advocate and key Donald Trump ally, was k!lled at a Utah Valley University on Wednesday in what authorities called a political assassination.
George, whose father is a Nigerian, appeared to celebrate the shooting of conservative influencer, Charlie Kirk, just months after debating him.
In messages seen by The Telegraph, Mr Abaraonye posted: “Charlie Kirk got shot, let’s f—ing go” – a common celebratory phrase among Gen Z.
Another message, believed to be on the student’s Instagram account, stated “Charlie Kirk got shot loool”, an exaggeration of the abbreviation “laughing out loud.
Messages were shared in a WhatsApp group for Oxford Union members. At least one of his messages was soon deleted.
The messages met with a mixed response from some in the WhatsApp group, understood to be intended largely for freshers.
Some appeared to be appalled by the sentiments being expressed.
Mr Abaraonye’s comment came just months after he met Kirk, and debated the US influencer at an event at the Oxford Union held in May.
Their debate on “toxic masculinity” ended with Kirk urging the younger man to “think about” what they had discussed.
Mr Abaraonye is now the president-elect of the Union following a vote in June, and will be responsible for overseeing an institution famed for its history of open debate
He had served as the vice-president of the Oxford African and Caribbean Society, a role with the added responsibility of sitting “on the Race Equality Task force to engage in conversations on racial diversity with wider university”.
This task force was set up in the wake of Black Lives Matter protests in 2020 to “promote racial equality” at Oxford, including by “decolonising” curriculum.
In a statement posted on X on Thursday, the Oxford Union criticised the student’s comments and said it “firmly opposes all forms of political violence and strongly stands by our commitment to free speech and considerate debate”.
“The Oxford Union would like to unequivocally condemn the reported words and sentiments expressed by its President-Elect, George Abaraonye, with regards to the passing of Charlie Kirk,” the society said.
“His reported views do not represent the Oxford Union’s current leadership or committee’s view.”
The statement added: “We would like to reiterate that our condolences lie with Charlie Kirk’s family, especially his wife and young children, who are enduring such terrible grief.”
Describing itself as “the most prestigious debating society in the world”, the Oxford Union was founded in 1823 and counts historical figures including Malcolm X among those to have attended its discussions.
