Politics
Sinead Butler
Dec 06, 2021
Dominic Raab has been mocked after making the strange claim that the police do not investigate crimes that have taken place in the past.
During an interview on the BBC’s The Andrew Marr Show, the Deputy Prime Minister made the comment in reference to an alleged No.10 Christmas party last year whilst Covid restrictions were still being enforced.
On two occasions, a party of 40 or 50 people were apparently packed “cheek by jowl” in a medium-sized room last year, The Mirror reported.
Since the information has come to light, letters of complaint from Labour MPs are now being considered by the Metropolitan Police, who don’t routinely investigate “retrospective” breaches of the Covid regulations.
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Mr Raab said the police are looking into the “unsubstantiated and anonymous claims” and then added: “The police have been very clear and will look back on any letter, but they don’t normally look back and investigate things that have taken place a year ago.”
So (according to Raab at least), the police only investigate crimes that haven’t happened yet? Right...
After his bizarre comment, the clip has been circulating on Twitter with people not quite believing the fact Raab said the police don’t investigate crimes that happened a year ago.
Raab, "The police don't normally look back and investigate things that have taken place a year ago" https://t.co/hIjeUIzCov— Zorg (@Zorg) 1638698518
Labour’s newly appointed Shadow of Justice, Steve Reed pointed out the irony of how “The Justice Secretary doesn’t understand how justice operates in our country.”
The Justice Secretary doesn’t understand how justice operates in our country. No wonder fear of crime is increasing… https://t.co/sTF5EZMNLr— Steve Reed (@Steve Reed) 1638728736
Other people were also quick to highlight this too.
literally the justice secretary https://t.co/MgF4GlNWLZ— Jim Pickard (@Jim Pickard) 1638716168
Let’s face it, you don’t make Dominic Raab Justice Secretary unless you’re actively trolling the Law.— John Cotter (@John Cotter) 1638713048
REMINDER: MR RAAB IS THE JUSTICE SECRETARY 😱 https://t.co/xlTc6lO3Di— Prof Colin TALBOT (@Prof Colin TALBOT) 1638710403
The actual Secretary of State for Justice. Let that sink in. 😐 https://t.co/QM0zH1aQQq— Sarah (@Sarah) 1638707258
Labour MP, Jess Phillips ridiculed Raab by joking how he “thinks he’s the Justice Secretary in Minority Report,” referencing the 2002 Stephen Spielberg film with the premise that a future technology makes it possible for cops to catch criminals before a crime is committed.
Dominic Raab seemingly thinks he's the Justice Secretary in Minority Report where only future crimes are of interest— Jess Phillips MP (@Jess Phillips MP) 1638711951
Minority Report came up in the discussion a number of times when discussing what Raab had said.
Well...not since they invented the Minority Report. Until then, they did investigate crimes after they happened https://t.co/B0s7gBUCIb— Pascal Koenig (@Pascal Koenig) 1638781603
Raab’s gone full-on ‘Minority Report’ and only investigating criminal events that are set to occur in the future. I… https://t.co/l1A1MD58Q0— Stevo 1️⃣9️⃣🏆 (@Stevo 1️⃣9️⃣🏆) 1638716663
Did you ever see that 2002 Tom Cruise film, Minority Report? Cos I think Dominic Raab must have … https://t.co/gUmfQ3jSyg— Steve Hyndside (@Steve Hyndside) 1638743102
Jeremy Vine also questioned Raab’s comment, and asked: “How do the police investigate crimes unless they have happened in the past?”
How do the police investigate crimes unless they have happened in the past? Or are they only investigating future c… https://t.co/se5Edx8jrC— Jeremy Vine (@Jeremy Vine) 1638719409
It seems LBC presenter James O’Brien couldn’t quite believe what was coming out of Raab’s mouth either.
Sorrywhatpardon? https://t.co/uOjC6lMzRC— James Oh Brien (@James Oh Brien) 1638708143
Dragons Den star, Deborah Meaden described how Raab’s comment proves that “We are now in full on mickey taking territory...”
We are now in full on mickey taking territory... https://t.co/6rAF1IYeNU— Deborah Meaden 💙 (@Deborah Meaden 💙) 1638737649
Meanwhile, others noted that Raab has seemingly forgotten about Operation Yewtree, where police investigated historical sex abuse of mainly children that took places decades ago.
does someone wanna let all the officers involved in operation yewtree know https://t.co/MnfqKA3fH5— Ben Smoke (@Ben Smoke) 1638711952
How do you get to be justice Secretary and not understand the police investigates past crimes? Operation Yewtree is… https://t.co/tLDgTbbiOu— BH Apollo the Cat owner (@BH Apollo the Cat owner) 1638726614
@RobDunsmore Operation Yewtree is a classic example of @metpoliceuk investigating historic crimes.. #raab— Mick Hart (@Mick Hart) 1638718293
Here are some more of the best reactions.
There’s about 27 series on ITV based around them doing just that… https://t.co/sdpsaLYaop— Larry the Cat (@Larry the Cat) 1638711264
ME: I think you need to arrest me, I’ve done a murder. POLICE: When will this happen? ME: No, I mean it’s done. I d… https://t.co/LSq01iJ3Sx— Johnny Candon (@Johnny Candon) 1638710813
Apart from anything else, major implications here for cold case police TV dramas. https://t.co/UquWCdb14L— Peter Walker (@Peter Walker) 1638710039
Ah sweet so as long as you don't get caught for a crime for a year, all decent. https://t.co/7lJu3MI7NL— Tommo (@Tommo) 1638709902
Narrator: “Dominic Raab was a qualified lawyer.” https://t.co/F3uvPEMbr2— Keith Burge (@Keith Burge) 1638709452
This is because they axed New Tricks. https://t.co/uOjC6lMzRC— James Oh Brien (@James Oh Brien) 1638709068
“There was no party” “It’s just a rumour” “Yeah ok there was a party but all guidance was followed” “Yeah ok there… https://t.co/DU8ZXp1URE— James Felton (@James Felton) 1638706836
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