George Abaraonye row escalates as Oxford Union president's 'romantic partner' dragged into spat

Mr Abaraonye stated this week that his political split with current President Moosa Harraj became "entrenched only when I ran and won against his romantic partner in a democratic election last term."

Ms Chapman rejected this characterisation, stating Mr Abaraonye was attempting to "detract from his own actions" by recasting events as a "personal feud, which is patently untrue."

Mr Harraj dismissed suggestions his partner's electoral loss influenced his stance towards Mr Abaraonye.

The controversy began when Mr Abaraonye posted comments celebrating the death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, including writing "Charlie Kirk got shot loool", which he subsequently removed and apologised for.

The remarks triggered widespread condemnation, with high-profile figures including political commentator Candace Owens, Republican senator Ted Cruz and tennis champion Serena Williams withdrawing from scheduled appearances.

Financial supporters also suspended their contributions to the society.

Life members worldwide began gathering the 150 signatures needed to force a confidence vote.

Mr Abaraonye pre-empted this by posting his own confidence motion.

He described as seeking "true accountability", though critics viewed it as an attempt to control the process and limit alumni participation.

The eventual vote saw 70 per cent express no confidence in Mr Abaraonye, surpassing the two-thirds threshold required for removal.

The crucial standing committee meeting determining confidence vote procedures was overseen by Mr Harraj, resulting in a 10-4 decision permitting proxy votes from absent life members.

This sparked fury from Mr Abaraonye's supporters, who disrupted the term's opening debate with loud protests, forcing four MPs including former justice secretary Sir Robert Buckland to exit the chamber.

Buckland characterised that evening's events as a "new low" for the society.

During Saturday's count, Mr Abaraonye's representatives contested virtually every proxy vote, with Mr Harraj's allies reporting only 30 of 800 proxies were processed between 8pm Saturday and 6am Sunday.

Returning officer Donovan Lock subsequently barred the representatives, citing "obstruction, intimidation and unwarranted hostility."

Oliver Jones-Lyons, representing Mr Abaraonye, challenged this version from a "dangerously sleep-deprived" Lock, calling the election "manifestly untenable."

The evening before Mr Abaraonye's confidence vote, a motion emerged against Mr Harraj, securing 150 signatures amidst the following day's activity.

Mr Harraj characterised this as a "calculated act of political retaliation" by Mr Abaraonye, who denied any involvement, calling the allegation "categorically untrue."

Charlotte Wild, formerly Mr Harraj's deputy press director, told The Times: "Free speech is something the president stands for unless you criticise him."

She claimed Mr Harraj had examined volunteers' phones to "check loyalty", kept staff working until 3am and required silent working conditions.

Mr Harraj's representatives and supporters refuted these allegations. Despite the accusations, Mr Harraj secured a comfortable victory in Thursday's vote.

His supporters indicated "strict actions" would follow against members who had "hindered every process of this institution."

Wild expressed doubts about the society's future, describing it as "ungovernable" with members "happy to ruin each other's lives."