❓WHAT HAPPENED: University College, Oxford, has decided not to expel George Abaraonye, the incoming president of the Oxford Union, despite his celebrating the assassination of Charlie Kirk.
👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: George Abaraonye, the Oxford Union, and Valerie Amos, the Master of University College, Oxford, a member of the House of Lords for Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s Labour Party.
📍WHEN & WHERE: September 12, at University College, Oxford.
💬KEY QUOTE: “Though Mr Abaraonye’s comments are abhorrent, they do not contravene the College’s policies on free speech, or any other relevant policy.” – Valerie Amos
🎯IMPACT: No disciplinary action will be taken against Abaraonye, maintaining his position at the Oxford Union.
University College, Oxford, has decided not to expel George Abaraonye, the incoming president of the Oxford Union, despite his celebration of the assassination of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk. Valerie Amos, Master of University College and a member of the House of Lords representing Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s Labour Party, confirmed in a statement that while his remarks were “abhorrent,” they did not breach the College’s free speech policies, and therefore no disciplinary action will be taken.
Notably, Britain does not have American-style free speech rights, and people can be prosecuted and even imprisoned for sending “grossly offensive” messages, such as George Floyd memes, in private chats.
Leaked group‑chat messages show Abaraonye sending messages such as “Charlie Kirk got shot, let’s f**king go” alongside a prayer‑hands emoji, shortly after news spread of Kirk being shot at a Utah Valley University event.
Kirk and Abaraonye had engaged in debate just months prior at an Oxford Union event in May, where they discussed issues including “toxic masculinity.”
Abaraonye has since issued a public apology, saying his reaction was impulsive, that the comments were made before Kirk was confirmed deceased, and that he deleted them once he learned of his passing. However, he still defended himself by pointing to what he saw as the harm caused by some of Kirk’s rhetoric.
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