BBC presenter slammed for insensitive comment about Partygate video

19 June 2023 , 07:44

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The presenter was criticised for her comment about partygate (Image: BBC)

BBC Breakfast presenter Rachel Burden has been slammed for an insensitive comment about the new Partygate video.

The never-before-seen video, published by The Mirror on Saturday night, showed MPs and Downing Street staff breaking strict lockdown rules by drinking, eating and dancing at a party together at a raucous Christmas party in 2020.

Millions of people across the country were banned from socialising with any friends or family indoors, after then-Prime Minister Boris Johnson introduced the new set of restrictions at the height of the pandemic.

During Sunday’s episode of BBC Breakfast, presenter Rachel Burden was discussing the new footage alongside co-host Ben Thompson, and guests Sonia Sodha and George Parker.

Rachel was slammed for her comment during the discussion (BBC)

“I can hear people around the country groaning, ‘Enough of Partygate already, why should we care about this new video?’" she said, which sparked fury among many viewers at home.

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“Is this the government line you’ve been given? She needs to get out & really listen, people are seething that this partying at No10 was going on while loved ones were dying alone,” one tweeted.

“Your throwaway comment about people not being bothered by the Partygate video, shows you are just another Tory #BBC puppet,” another raged.

A photo from the party showed 24 revellers

The clip has been met with widespread outrage as millions of people across the UK saw MPs flouting lockdown rules while they were forced to miss out on seeing loved ones.

Those in the video even mocked the lockdown rules, with two members of Downing Street staff dancing with a sign which read: “Please keep your distance.”

In the video, one Number 10 employee is heard asking, “Are you filming this?” prompting another to add: “As long as we are not streaming that we’re, like, bending the rules.”

Emma Wilson