This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . The next check for changes will be
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c04qz5lk6ggo
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Oxford Union condemns president-elect's reported Charlie Kirk posts | Oxford Union condemns president-elect's reported Charlie Kirk posts |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| The pair took part in a debate at the Oxford Union in May | The pair took part in a debate at the Oxford Union in May |
| The Oxford Union has condemned comments made by its incoming president appearing to celebrate the shooting of Charlie Kirk. | The Oxford Union has condemned comments made by its incoming president appearing to celebrate the shooting of Charlie Kirk. |
| Student George Abaraonye posted on social media after news of the shooting broke, seeming to welcome the attack, according to media reports. | Student George Abaraonye posted on social media after news of the shooting broke, seeming to welcome the attack, according to media reports. |
| Mr Abaraonye had taken part in a discussion with Kirk at the university debating society in May, in which the pair expressed opposing views on masculinity. | Mr Abaraonye had taken part in a discussion with Kirk at the university debating society in May, in which the pair expressed opposing views on masculinity. |
| The BBC has contacted Mr Abaraonye for a response. He reportedly told the Times that he had "reacted impulsively" and quickly deleted the comments, as they did not reflect his values. | The BBC has contacted Mr Abaraonye for a response. He reportedly told the Times that he had "reacted impulsively" and quickly deleted the comments, as they did not reflect his values. |
| Live updates on this story | Live updates on this story |
| New clues in hunt for Charlie Kirk's killer | New clues in hunt for Charlie Kirk's killer |
| Young fans and critics debate Charlie Kirk's political legacy | Young fans and critics debate Charlie Kirk's political legacy |
| Kirk, an influential right-wing activist and close ally of US President Donald Trump, was shot dead while speaking at a university in Utah on Wednesday. | Kirk, an influential right-wing activist and close ally of US President Donald Trump, was shot dead while speaking at a university in Utah on Wednesday. |
| According to the Telegraph, Mr Abaraonye posted a message on Instagram which read "Charlie Kirk got shot loool" - an elongated version of the phrase 'lol' which means 'laughing out loud'. | According to the Telegraph, Mr Abaraonye posted a message on Instagram which read "Charlie Kirk got shot loool" - an elongated version of the phrase 'lol' which means 'laughing out loud'. |
| He is also said to have posted in a WhatsApp chat with fellow students, appearing to welcome the incident. | He is also said to have posted in a WhatsApp chat with fellow students, appearing to welcome the incident. |
| In a statement posted on X late on Thursday, the Oxford Union said it "unequivocally condemn[ed] the reported words and sentiments" expressed by Mr Abaraonye, who was elected as the society's new president in June. | In a statement posted on X late on Thursday, the Oxford Union said it "unequivocally condemn[ed] the reported words and sentiments" expressed by Mr Abaraonye, who was elected as the society's new president in June. |
| "His reported views do not represent the Oxford Union's current leadership or committee's view." | "His reported views do not represent the Oxford Union's current leadership or committee's view." |
| It added that its current leadership had "no association" with Mr Abaraonye and shared its condolences with Kirk's family. | It added that its current leadership had "no association" with Mr Abaraonye and shared its condolences with Kirk's family. |
| "We reaffirm our stance that the Oxford Union firmly opposes all forms of political violence and strongly stands by our commitment to free speech and considerate debate." | "We reaffirm our stance that the Oxford Union firmly opposes all forms of political violence and strongly stands by our commitment to free speech and considerate debate." |
| Charlie Kirk, 31, was shot dead while speaking at a university on Wednesday | Charlie Kirk, 31, was shot dead while speaking at a university on Wednesday |
| Mr Abaraonye was one of several students to debate Kirk at the Union in May. | Mr Abaraonye was one of several students to debate Kirk at the Union in May. |
| During their exchange, Kirk said the West had become "hyper-feminist" and that it needed to "restore the balance that God created, man and woman". | |
| Mr Abaraonye said Kirk's views did not address "a lot of the issues that a lot of young men face" and that they were being harmed by "the idea that men can't be in touch with their feelings". | |
| According to the Times, Mr Abaraonye said he removed his comments after reacting on impulse and that "nobody deserves to be the victim of political violence". | |
| "I may have disagreed strongly with Mr Kirk's politics, but in death we all deserve respect, and I extend my condolences to his family and loved ones." | "I may have disagreed strongly with Mr Kirk's politics, but in death we all deserve respect, and I extend my condolences to his family and loved ones." |
| He also told the Guardian that his reaction was "shaped by the context of Mr Kirk's own rhetoric – words that often dismissed or mocked the suffering of others". | He also told the Guardian that his reaction was "shaped by the context of Mr Kirk's own rhetoric – words that often dismissed or mocked the suffering of others". |
| An Oxford University spokesperson said on Friday: "The Oxford Union is independent of the University. | An Oxford University spokesperson said on Friday: "The Oxford Union is independent of the University. |
| "We deplore comments appearing to endorse violence - they are unacceptable and entirely contrary to the values of our community." | "We deplore comments appearing to endorse violence - they are unacceptable and entirely contrary to the values of our community." |