More than 70 alumni of the Oxford Union Society, a famous debating society in Oxford, England, have called for the resignation of the group’s president-elect over his celebration of the murder of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
President-elect George Abaraonye, who debated Kirk at the Oxford Union in May, appeared to share multiple celebratory remarks about Kirk’s shooting on WhatsApp, according to The Oxford Student. “CHARLIE KIRK GOT SHOT LET’S F***ING GO,” read one message. “SCOREBOARD FN,” read another.
Abaraonye released a statement after the messages were published saying that “those words did not reflect my values” and that they were “quickly deleted upon learning of his passing.” Still, he described the shooting as a “painful irony.”
Now, former Oxford Union officers, which include former Cabinet ministers and sitting members of Parliament, have signed an open letter calling for Abaraonye’s resignation.
“The Oxford Union is bigger than any one individual,” the group writes. “It was founded to provide students with a free and productive space in which to discuss the pressing ideas of the day. Free speech is the Oxford Union’s foundational principle. For 200 years, the Union has resisted pressure–from the University, the Church, numerous governments, and its own members–to restrict discourse and debate. It stood the test of time through war, social upheaval, and generational change.”
“In this tradition, we do not question your right to speak your mind about Charlie Kirk’s murder; in this tradition, we do not join the calls that have been made for the university and your college to discipline you for your comments,” the group adds. “However, your public reaction to a fatal shooting displayed a callousness inconsistent with the Union President’s duty to safeguard free and open debate, rendering it untenable for you to accede to the Office of President.”
The “concerned alumni of the Oxford Union” note Kirk “became famous for his attempts to engage young people–especially university students–in civic discourse.”
“Whatever one’s political views, one cannot deny that Mr Kirk promoted free speech,” the letter adds. “He did not confine his mission to his own country: in May 2025, Mr Kirk visited the United Kingdom and spoke at both the Oxford Union and our sister society in Cambridge. In fact, you yourself debated Mr Kirk at the Oxford Union. As has been well-noted, he drew both respect and ire for his enthusiasm for debate on university campuses. It was whilst engaging in this mission that Mr Kirk was murdered.”
The group concludes that in light of the president-elect’s comments, it no longer has confidence that he can fulfill the duties of president.
“The attack on Mr Kirk was an attack on the purpose, mission, and role of the Oxford Union. It is untenable for our Society to have a President who shows either no understanding or blatant disregard for that mission. The issue here is not with politics, but with principle. The Members entrusted you to champion a centuries-long tradition of civil university discourse – instead, you have celebrated its demise,” it concludes.
But Abaraonye does not intend to resign, according to The Oxford Student.
“Alumni, just like all members, can express their views about the governance of the society,” he wrote in a comment to the outlet. “While I take their letter seriously, I also appreciate that they represent less than 5 percent of the former members of our governing body of the Oxford union over the last few decades. I am at the behest of the entire membership and all our members who have the right to exercise democratic methods when determining who governs our society, as they always have and always will.”
According to the outlet, the union cannot unilaterally remove a president-elect, though a no-confidence motion can be introduced.
If a no-confidence motion is brought forth, it must gather 150 supporting signatures from members within 48 hours. The process would then move forward to a four-day window for open debate. Then, the entire membership is entitled to vote in a poll on whether the officer should be removed.
For the no-confidence motion to be approved, at least two-thirds of participants must vote in favor and a minimum of 150 affirmative votes is required.
The union has more than 2 million subscribers on YouTube and its debates have been watched hundreds of millions of times, according to a press release.