Oxford students move to impeach Union president over treatment of blind student who was 'dragged out of chamber by ankles'

Oxford students have moved to impeach their Union President over the treatment of a blind student who was dragged out of a debating chamber “by his ankles”.

Ebenezer Azamati arrived early at the hall to reserve a seat for the debate on the motion 'This House has no confidence in HM Government' and went to dinner.

When he returned, he was denied entry, but attempted to sit down in his reserved seat. Shortly after, a security guard came in and dragged the student off his chair, and out of the room.

The distressing scene was caught on video.

This morning, Harry Hatwell, a student who witnessed the incident, will formally start impeachment proceedings against Brendan McGrath, President of the Oxford Union by pinning a motion of impeachment on the Union’s noticeboard.

He argues that Mr McGrath should lose his position because he “has failed in his duty to uphold the principles of equity and fairness, failed to deal with ableism and racism in the Union, and failed to listen to the voices of the Union’s members. He is not fit for office.”

The detailed charges allege that Mr McGrath failed to prevent Mr Azamati from being forcibly removed from the chamber, failed to investigate his staff’s actions, publicly accused Mr Azamati of violent conduct, wasted Union funds on an ‘unfair disciplinary’ hearing and failed to apologise for the whole incident.

Mr Hatwell said last night: “For better or for worse, being President of the Oxford Union is seen as a stepping stone to high office (our current Prime Minister as a case in point); being President of the Union matters.

“The Union holds itself to be a bastion of democratic debate and liberty but it is hard to see such values have been upheld here. The actions of the Union and the impunity with which our elected representatives have acted cannot go unchallenged.

“The President has chosen not do the brave, courageous, and responsible thing and stand down from his position; we have faith that Union members will make him accountable.”

After the motion is pinned, members of the Union have an opportunity to sign it in support. If, within 48 hours, 150 members do sign, then there will be a poll of all members on either Sunday or Monday. If two thirds of voters in this poll support impeachment, the President will immediately be removed from office.

Mr McGrath had not responded to a request for comment last night.

Yesterday, Oxford University weighed into the debate saying the treatment “goes against our culture of inclusivity and tolerance”.

In a Twitter post, they said: “We share the widespread outrage regarding the unacceptable treatment of Ebenezer Azamati, a member of our University community, at the Oxford Union. Ebenezer’s college and the University are working to fully support him.

“The Union is an entirely independent club not governed by the University, but this student’s treatment goes against our culture of inclusivity and tolerance – we are pressing the Union for answers on how they plan to remedy the issue and ensure this does not happen in future.”