Oxford Union plunged into fresh scandal after president removed from office for 'election-rigging'

The Oxford Union has been plunged into a fresh scandal after its president-elect was removed from office over alleged election-ringing.

Catherine Xu was stripped of the position following findings of electoral fraud by the debating society's tribunal.

But Ms Xu - who had been due to assume the presidency during Michaelmas term in September - has denied all accusations, characterising them as "political drama".

She said: "I strongly reject the findings against myself and deny that any conspiracy existed. I am deeply concerned that the decision appears to rely on evidence I believe to be fabricated or materially unreliable, yet imposes an extraordinarily severe and disproportionate penalty."

The postgraduate student at Exeter College was found to have provided Union membership cards to individuals who were not members, enabling them to cast votes during the election.

On March 6, Leo Zhou - who was standing for the secretary's committee - discovered several students casting ballots using other members' identification and challenged them.

These individuals were allegedly supporting Ms Xu and other Asian candidates, according to the tribunal documentation.

Yolanda Liu, another secretary's committee candidate, was found to have obtained six cards from Ms Xu and distributed at least one on the day of voting.

Messages exchanged between the two on WeChat revealed discussions about "finding people", with Ms Xu advising Ms Liu to be "especially careful".

A voice message sent by Ms Xu to Ms Liu several days after the election, enquiring whether she still possessed "the cards", was deemed "particularly damning" by the tribunal.

Witness testimony from Celine Li stated that she received a membership card belonging to Lisa Chung with instructions to vote for Ea Ventura Marty and Ms Xu.

Ms Xu faced seven charges in total, one of which alleged she threatened and intimidated Mr Zhou "with the purpose and/or effect of deterring him from reporting electoral malpractice to the returning office".

The penalties imposed include prohibition from standing in the upcoming Hilary term election, a permanent ban on nominating candidates or holding positions within the society, and temporary suspension of her membership until Trinity term concludes.

She is also forbidden from serving on any Union committee apart from the consultative committee.

A fresh election for the presidency will be held on Monday.

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Ms Xu secured victory in March, defeating rivals Liza Barkova, Gareth Lim and Hamza Hussain.

Her campaign pledges included establishing an access membership fund, relocating procedural motions from Thursday debates, and increasing the number of female speakers.

She has said she intends to appeal the decision and has alleged she has experienced racism and harassment.

She told The Telegraph: "I just feel very upset. It's not fair. I feel like I've been harassed by my competitors, so I want to fight for myself to reveal the truth.

"The other competitors wanted to remove me. That's why they united and used Chinese people to spread rumours."

Ms Xu has also claimed that a key witness provided false testimony against her.

She argued that her preparation for the tribunal was hampered by being in China during the university break, with time zone differences preventing effective collaboration with her designated Union representatives and limiting her ability to secure supporting witnesses.

Prior to the election, Ms Xu had said: "The Union is way bigger than its scandals, but the perceived dysfunction keeps drowning out the good. I want to help fix that."

This marks the second consecutive year that an incoming president has been removed from office.

George Abaraonye was ousted last year after appearing to celebrate the death of American conservative influencer Charlie Kirk, having written in a group chat "Charlie Kirk got shot, let's f****** go".

The 20-year-old philosophy, politics and economics student at University College subsequently apologised, acknowledging he had "acted without nuance".

A major free speech row also erupted after reports emerged last month that Tommy Robinson had been "secretly" invited to a debate on Islam at the prestigious debating society.

The Union is set to host the activist on May 28 to debate the motion: "This House believes the West is right to be suspicious of Islam."

GB News has approached the Oxford Union for comment.

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