Oxford Union president resigns after blind student dragged out of debate

The president of Oxford Union has resigned following an incident where a blind student was forcibly removed from a debate event at the University.

After Ebenezer Azamati, a postgraduate student from Ghana, was dragged out of the Oxford Union debating chamber by his ankles, President Brendan McGrath stepped down stating that he “manifestly failed” in his duty to ensure every member felt welcome.

Mr Azamati allegedly reserved his seat earlier, as he was worried the union may offer limited provision for disabled students. Following the removal, his union card was confiscated and he was subsequently barred from the union.

In response to the incident, which quickly gained traction on social media, Mr McGrath held a disciplinary committee meeting.

The union president alleged that Mr Azamati behaved aggressively, leading to the permanent revoking of his union membership.

I felt that I was treated as not being human enough to deserve justice and fair treatment

– Ebenezer Azamati

Mr Azamati has since spoken out about his treatment. In an interview with The Sunday Times, he stated: “I felt that I was treated as not being human enough to deserve justice and fair treatment.”

He also said that he no longer “felt welcome” at the University or in Britain. His treatment by the union has since caused public outrage.

The Oxford Union African Society (OUAS) launched a campaign against the union on Twitter, calling the event “violent, unjust, inhumane and shameful”.

At a subsequent appeal hearing, the union withdrew their charge of violent behaviour against Mr Azamati and apologised for the distress they had caused him, rescinding their ban on his union membership.

The OUAS, who has continued lobbying for justice for Mr Azamati, set up a petition calling for the resignation of the Oxford Union president. It has since received over 60,000 signatures.

This culminated in McGrath’s eventual resignation on 19 November. In a Facebook statement, he said: “It is the president’s job to ensure that every Member feels welcome at the Oxford Union.”