Culture Secretary Nadine Doris has been accused of “taking voters for fools” after saying there were more people applauding than booing Boris Johnson during Friday’s platinum anniversary of Thanksgiving at St. Paul’s Cathedral.
In a tweet on Friday night, Ms Doris suggested that the media had exaggerated the scale of the ridicule the prime minister was facing in the name of sensational headlines.
But her claim was quickly refuted by the royal editor of ITV News, Chris Ship, who was present at the prime minister’s arrival and said the booing was “really very loud”.
And her comments were widely ridiculed on social media, where many of the more than 19,000 Twitter users who responded to her message included videos of television footage in which the boos were clearly audible.
Some argued that even if Ms. Doris was right about the applause, which exceeded the ridicule, it would still be unprecedented for an incumbent prime minister to be detained at a church service to celebrate the queen.
In her tweet just before 7pm on Friday, Ms Doris, whose role includes responsibility for regulating the media, wrote: “There was much, much more applause, but that’s not a good headline, is it?”
Mr Ship said: “The facts are, and I was there, the boos were really loud. There is no escape from this. Reporters are there to report. I’m not making things up. “
The prime minister’s barrage was noted by TV reporters covering the event, as BBC presenter Jane Hill noted that there was a “significant amount” of booing when Mr Johnson and his wife Carrie entered the cathedral.
Responding to Mrs Doris’ tweet, Liberal Democrat peer Lord Renard said: “It’s just not true. Such lies are the reason people choose to boo Boris. Everyone can hear the comment live. The whistles when Boris left were even louder.
And Labor’s deputy leader, Angela Raynor, said: “Your regular reminder that Nadine Doris is Boris Johnson’s disinformation minister. They take you for fools. ”
Labor MP Christian Wakeford, who fled the Tories in protest of Johnson’s leadership, said: “It’s because it’s not true, Nadine.”
And rugby star Brian Moore told Ms. Doris: “Your flattery has deprived you of the little judgment you had. Have a little dignity. “
Several Twitter users posted a famous quote from George Orwell’s 1984 novel, describing the use of authoritarian government propaganda to distort the truth: “The party has told you to reject the evidence in front of your eyes and ears. That was their last, most important order. “
Other respondents were quick to scoff at the culture secretary’s comment.
Referring to the parties to break the blockade of 10 Downing Street, Scarfolk author Richard Littleler tweeted: “Tories 2021:” No alcohol “. Torrey 2022: “There were no boos.”
Author James Felton asked the Secretary of Culture: “A real question; are you aware of the fact that other people can hear sounds?
In response to Doris’s criticism of press coverage, The Times conducted an unscientific poll on Twitter, which found that significantly more than 90 percent of respondents thought more boos were heard than applause.
Times Radio broadcaster Matt Chorley asked, “Can you remember a time when a prime minister got * some * booze in the middle of a big royal event?”
Broadcaster Danny Baker said: “There are expected to be many more toasts. This is what people who attend royal events do.
“The fact that there was a huge wave of negativity about Johnson is unprecedented. You say there were “more cheers”, he admits that he was also rudely booed. From a royal crowd. ”
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