Gauke says ‘reputable’ MPs shouldn't talk to RT… yet dozens of his fellow Tories do
Tory minister David Gauke has been branded a hypocrite after attempting to smear Labour’s Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell for talking to RT. Is he aware dozens of his colleagues have appeared on the channel?
The secretary of state for work and pensions told his 9,000-plus followers he had rejected an interview with the broadcaster, saying “I don’t do interviews with RT.”
When questioned why this was, the South West Hertfordshire MP said: “You’re a propaganda station. Reputable politicians don’t do interviews with RT.” According to Gauke, the interviewer responded: “We’ve just had John McDonnell on.”
Although the post got several thousand likes and messages of support, it sparked derision from other Tweeters.
Unbelievable arrogance. Who cares what you think? Your attitude is symptomatic of your Party's totally punishing those who cannot defend themselves. Welcome to Tory Britain and everything that is despicable which makes me ashamed of being British.
— Ann Weatherly-Barton (@xpressanny) November 23, 2017
RT informs us of the things kept quite by Tory MSM that we should definitely know about and is no more a propaganda station than the BBC
— John Edwards #FBPE (@Johnfrededdy) November 23, 2017
Never watched it before but going to give it a go now I hear it covers UK news better than the tory biased BBC
— calm waters (@CalmJohngfs) November 23, 2017
Gauke, who last month failed to show up to an emergency debate in Parliament on the bungled rollout of Universal Credit, was roundly attacked for shirking his duties once more.
do your job rather than shitting all over people's living standards.
— Aaron Bastani (@AaronBastani) November 23, 2017
You don’t talk to 1950’s women either. You are elected to represent & talk to your electorate. Get off your throne you are a public servant, paid by us! Attend the #waspi debate on 14 Dec & say something constructive! #backto60
— Mummy Emerita (@happybird_y) November 23, 2017
The RT UK Twitter account also saw the opportunity to remind Gauke of his colleagues who have given interviews to the channel.
Are your fellow Tory MPs Andrew Mitchell, Peter Bone, Michael Fabricant, Philip Davies, David Davies, Nigel Evans, Sir David Amess, Crispin Blunt, Mike Freer, Daniel Kawczynski, Jacob Rees-Mogg, Steve Baker and Craig Whittaker not reputable? https://t.co/jVSJlIq5Ol
— RT UK (@RTUKnews) November 23, 2017
In fact, seemingly running out of characters, the RT UK Twitter account didn’t mention five other Tory MPs that have graced the channel: Johnny Mercer, Bill Cash, Bob Neil, Kwasi Kwarteng and Andrew Rosindell. No doubt they’ll be looking forward to Gauke questioning their ‘reputability’ later in the Commons bar.
