Former Dudley MP pulls out of Oxford Union debate in protest at sick comments about Charlie Kirk

Marco Longhi, former MP for Dudley North, had been due to take part in a debate in November, speaking in favour of the British Empire.

But Mr Longhi, a former chairman of the UK branch of Mr Kirk's Turning Point campaign group, said he could not 'in good conscience' take part in the debate following the comments on social media by Oxford student George Abaraonye.

Mr Kirk was shot dead during a debate on a university campus in Utah on September 10, and Mr Abaraonye appeared to celebrate Mr Kirk's death in a social media post immediately after.

Mr Abaraonye said he 'reacted impulsively' and quickly deleted the comments as they did not reflect his values.

Mr Longhi, a former Conservative MP, who has since defected to Reform UK, had been due to speak in favour of the motion: "This house believes that the sun should never have set on the British Empire' on November 6.

But he said: "As the former president of Turning Point UK, I am appalled and disgusted by his remarks. In my view, someone who holds such views should not be in a position of leadership at an institution with the union's history and reputation.,

"It is deeply disappointing to witness cracks forming in what was once one of the world's great universities, and I cannot in good conscience lend my presence to an organisation that tolerates such behaviour." 

A teacher at Kingsmead School in Hednesford is also facing disciplinary action following comments made about Mr Kirk's death on social media.