The Oxford Union Librarian, Kostas Chyrssanthopoulos, has resigned from the society. His resignation comes after he delivered a speech criticising the President on Thursday and refused to sit next to him during the debate.
In a statement issued to the President, Treasurer and Secretary of the society, Chryssanthopoulos said, “Following Thursday’s debate I would like to clarify my position so that there is no misunderstanding. I, Kostas Chryssanthopoulos, St Peter’s College and the Librarian do hereby resign my position within the Society.”
He explained that “I refuse to hold this position any further, having suffered repeated and continued attacks which have been personal from the start. Moreover, my friends have also been targeted not only in the past but also recently, to hit back at me for the actions I undertook earlier this week. Actions which were well within my rights and which, in my view, I had a duty to pursue.”
“To serve under this President has been the biggest regret of my time in this Society and I want nothing more to do with him.”
Speaking to Cherwell, Union President Ben Sullivan said “I am extremely sorry that Kostas has resigned. It is a great shame that our friendship has ended in this manner. The Union is grateful for everything he has done for the society and I wish him all the best for the future.”
The Librarian’s decision follows a stormy week for the Union, in which the President has come under fire for attempting to use Union money to cover his legal expenses. Chryssanthopoulos is the second person to resign from the Union this week, following the resignation of Katherine Connolly of Standing Committee on Monday.
Leo Garwood, a Standing Committee member from St John’s, will take up the position of Union Librarian with immediate effect. Garwood commented, “I am pleased to accept the office of Librarian, and look forward to serving the Union members for the remainder of the term.”
President Ben Sullivan said, “I am delighted that Leo has decided to take up the Office of Librarian. I am sure he will perform the role with skill and dedication, and I cannot wait to start working with him.”
Read the Librarian’s full protest speech at the Union on Thursday here.
