Society president-elect racially abused for Kirk posts

The pair took part in a debate at the Oxford Union in May

The Oxford Union says it is "deeply concerned" by the "racial abuse and threats" its incoming president has faced in response to media reports that he celebrated the shooting of Charlie Kirk.

Student George Abaraonye reportedly posted on social media after news of the shooting broke, seeming to welcome it.

The BBC has contacted Mr Abaraonye for a response. He told The Times that he had "reacted impulsively" and quickly deleted the comments as they did not reflect his values.

The Oxford Union said it strongly condemned the threats to Mr Abaraonye, but that complaints made against him for his remarks would be "addressed with the utmost seriousness".

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.

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".

He is also said to have posted in a WhatsApp chat with fellow students, appearing to welcome the incident.

Charlie Kirk, 31, was shot dead while speaking at a university on Wednesday

The Oxford Union previously said it "unequivocally condemn[ed] the reported words and sentiments" expressed by Mr Abaraonye, who was elected as the debating society's new president in June.

In a new statement it said: "We emphasise that these are his personal views and not those of the union, nor do they represent the values of our institution."

But it added: "No individual should ever be attacked because of the colour of their skin or the community they come from. Threats to his life are abhorrent.

"Such rhetoric has no place online, or anywhere in society.

"The Oxford Union has always been one of the world's foremost defenders of free speech. We will continue to defend freedom of expression in all its forms.

"But free speech cannot and will not come at the expense of violence, intimidation or hate."

It also said it did not possess executive powers to summarily dismiss a president-elect.

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."

A University of Oxford 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."