The Conversation (0)
Elaine McCallig
Jan 26, 2022
‘I don't know who's been eating more cake’: Johnson mocks Ian Blackford
The Independent
The SNP has called out Boris Johnson for his apparent “fat shaming” on Wednesday afternoon in the House of Commons.
During today’s PMQs, the prime minister made a dig at SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford.
Blackford, while urging Johnson to quit, said: “The impending National Insurance tax hike hangs like a guillotine while they eat cake.”
In response, the prime minister said: “I don’t know… who has been eating more cake.”
Viewers and politicians alike were quick to react to the remark.
Kirsten Oswald, Blackford’s deputy leader at Westminster, hit out at Johnson’s comments.
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“Boris Johnson has proven, yet again, that he is completely unfit for office,” she said.
“Whether it’s his body shaming jokes, his racism, his homophobia, or his wider misconduct in public office, Mr Johnson is giving people another telling insight into his odious character.
“The prime minister’s frequently offensive remarks will have a damaging impact on many young people and need to be called out.
“He is sending an appalling message to society, that the most powerful person in the UK Government thinks it’s okay to mock people because of their bodies, race, sexual orientation and religion.
“The longer Tory MPs allow Mr Johnson to cling on to power, the more damage they will do to any remaining public trust in this discredited government.”
People took to Twitter to share their thoughts on the prime minister’s comment:
Boris Johnson body shaming Ian Blackford was not what I expected from #PMQs today but here we are\u2026https://twitter.com/skynews/status/1486319657992794119\u00a0\u2026— Liz Little (@Liz Little) 1643203714
Boris Johnson can now add body shaming to his long list of offences. #cakegatehttps://twitter.com/BloombergUK/status/1486315894590558215\u00a0\u2026— Socialist Casper. Gay and Angry. (@Socialist Casper. Gay and Angry.) 1643204034
Body shaming his colleagues in PMQs. Every day is a new low in under Johnson— Ash B. Whitley (@Ash B. Whitley) 1643200448
Boris Johnson fat shaming Ian Blackford in the House of Commons. I despair.\n\nIf you seriously think this is the person to lead Britain, I do not know what to suggest.\n\nHe\u2019s got to go. Disgraceful. #PMQspic.twitter.com/xSGzD6S6Ch— Jarleth Eaton (@Jarleth Eaton) 1643200414
#PMQS wow fat shaming because you\u2019ve no defence @BorisJohnson .if he digs any deeper we\u2019ll have another channel tunnel— Mark Gunn (@Mark Gunn) 1643200799
Just heard @BorisJohnson fat shaming a colleague. What a disgrace #notmyprimeminister— Susan (@Susan) 1643205858
Resorting to fat shaming are you now @BorisJohnson ?? Absolutely disgusting. I will add that to the very long list of reasons you must go. \n\n#PMQShttps://twitter.com/BBCPolitics/status/1486316001255903232\u00a0\u2026— Steven Blake (@Steven Blake) 1643200882
Tories laughing in the faces of anyone who dares to attempt to hold them to account for breaking their own COVID-19 rules.https://twitter.com/JackAitchison15/status/1486314983898157058\u00a0\u2026— Ross Colquhoun (@Ross Colquhoun) 1643200536
Eating disorder charity Beat also criticised Johnson’s comment to Blackford.
Its director of external affairs Tom Quinn said: “It is completely unacceptable that the prime minister should resort to making fatphobic comments.
“It shows a clear lack of regard for, or understanding of, the 1.25 million people in the UK affected by eating disorders, and we are extremely disappointed that he has deemed this to be an appropriate response.
“We would urge the prime minister to educate himself on the seriousness of these mental illnesses, and limit his comments of other MPs to their actions, not their appearances.”
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