The Oxford Union society has condemned comments made by its incoming president about the shooting of Charlie Kirk.
Charlie Kirk, a controversial right-wing activist and Trump ally, was killed at an event held at Utah Valley University on Wednesday in what authorities are calling a political assassination.
George Abaraonye, who was voted in as president-elect of the Oxford Union earlier this year, posted several comments appearing to celebrate what happened, The Telegraph reported.
One message was thought to have said “Charlie Kirk got shot, let’s f****** go”, while another post on Mr Abaraonye’s Instagram account read “Charlie Kirk got shot loool”.
Kirk and Mr Abaraonye met during a debate on “toxic masculinity” held by the Oxford Union in May, The Telegraph reported.
In a statement posted on X on Thursday, 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 such as Malcolm X among those to have attended its discussions.
US president Donald Trump paid tribute to Kirk as a “martyr for truth and freedom” after the shooting, while prime minister Sir Keir Starmer and other leading UK politicians also expressed condolences online.
A UK offshoot of the right-wing organisation Turning Point USA, which was co-founded by Kirk, will gather in Whitehall on Friday evening to remember him.
