President-elect of Oxford Union, George Abaraonye, has launched a new attack on Charlie Kirk, defending his comments where he celebrated the shooting of the political activist.
The 20-year-old Politics, Philosophy and Economics student said: "My words were no less insensitive than his - arguably less so; the difference is that I had the humility to recognise when I strayed from my core values, and I addressed it immediately upon reflection.
"I am not perfect, but I am willing to reflect, to learn, and to remain true to my values.
"It is disheartening that those who hurl abuse at me are often the same who claim to value free speech and oppose 'cancel culture,' yet apply those principles inconsistently."
Mr Kirk was killed on Wednesday after being shot in the neck at a university campus in Utah.
Mr Abaraonye initially said, "Charlie Kirk got shot, let's f***ing go" before apologising for the remark amid criticism.
The University student had previously debated Mr Kirk about toxic and traditional masculinity and male suicide rates.
Liz Truss called for the student to be expelled, writing on X: "He has brought shame on Oxford and shame on Britain."
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Mr Abaraonye in a debate with Mr Kirk in May
| YOUTUBEMr Abaraonye deleted the messages and initially apologised, but noted he was disappointed by the response to his comments.
The student said: "I've been troubled to see members of the media ignore my retraction and self-reflection.
"It is right to call out the insensitivity of my initial reaction.
"But the irony is not lost on me that many of those now threatening violence and hurling abuse toward me, and toward people who look like me, have shown no interest in holding Charlie Kirk to the same standard when he mocked children killed by gun violence or excused the deaths of women and children abroad."
On Saturday, the Union said it "unequivocally condemned Abaraonye's comments".
In a statement it wrote: "His reported views do not represent the Oxford Union's current leadership or committee's view."
The Union is unable to immediately sack Mr Abaraonye, as it needs 150 members to sign a petition demanding a confidence vote.
The student is a well-known and popular figure on campus, ranking fifth in a recent "big names on campus" list.
Oxford Union cannot sack Mr Abaraonye unless it obtains 150 members to sign a petition demanding a confidence vote
| GETTYThe Union has shut off comments on posts about Mr Abaraonye.
However, other posts have been flooded with comments demanding his resignation.
One user wrote: "Two-tier justice strikes again," and another said: "Your society is disgraceful."
Question marks about Mr Abaraonye's qualifications have been raised, with his ABB A-Level results below the usual three As required to get into Oxford.