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Maybe Dum Cum is going to announce that he's sacked Dumbojo.
I’ll take a punt the statement is something like
”go **** yourselves you plebs”
'Skeleton staff', very droll.
I gave my address to prove my constituency status but got an automated reply. This paucity of replies is a bit rich given that they awarded themselves an extra 200 sovs a week for 'wfm'.
I'm going with appearing pale and strung out. Wavering voice, red eyes (some kind of eyedrops) and some poignant pauses. Full Steve Smith meets Diana on Panarama.
Expect the phrases and words 'autism', 'four years old' and 'any loving father and husband' to appear prominently. Followed by a non-apology ('I recognise that I have fallen short of the interpretations of the rules that the majority of the public seem to have') followed by a very reluctant (and temporary I will wager) resignation.
Whatever the sob story, whatever the makeup department can manage, I sincerely hope some tells him to save his breath, write it on the side of a bus and **** off.
As Elliot Ness (as played by Kevin Costner) said:
"Goddammit, we've got one of them".
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=PDf0rL1GZL0
If he's planning to take questions it won't be a resignation. It will be a defence.
I think if he tries to pull the autism card that will go as much against him as for him. I also think he would have to play an absolute blinder to get any sympathy as he is almost universally loathed. I am hoping he will do the honourable thing and fall on his sword. Though if he hangs about and takes no show bojo with him that would also be a good result.
What time and where?
The fact that he’s taking questions suggests (to me) that he ain’t resigning.
Edit - beaten to it
My bet is he'll come out and use a load of loopholes and creative reading of the rules that put him in the clear. He'll have spent the last 24 hours working with lawyers to find a way he can make his actions technically fine but also prove that anyone who wanted to do similar - look after loved ones, see family on their birthday etc - still wouldn't have been able to.
I hope I'm wrong and he comes out, apologises and resigns but I've got more chance of waking up next to Emma Stone in the morning than him doing the right thing for the country.
could it be that he was up there doing dodgy deals with GSK based in Barnard Castle
Unlikely. GSK has its HQ in W.London, its UK R&D centre in Stevenage. Its purely manufacturing in BC, and not the main centre. Ti RED would know better than me.
Or Cummings has something over Bofo.
I am sure this is the case. could be the russia report, could be pictures of Johnson snorting coke, could be the fraud in the euro referendum, could just be political leverage.
- He is not elected
- He is not a civil servant
- He is not even a member of the Tory party
- Why the hell is is making a statement?
- Why do I read every tweet relating to this with a mental image of Malcolm Tucker exploding with rage and ever more creative expletives?
Just remembered the video link thing. Will it be carefully selected questions with no follow ups?
I can’t bear to listen to his explanation. I expect it’ll be a bullish self defence that will wind us up even more....
I’m expecting a full on attack on the “mainstream media” from Cummings today. This approach was coming anyway… now is the time to try it on for size.
It would be an incredible misreading of the public mood if he did go full Trump.
Cummings calling a press conference has echoes of John Terry calling One that time before an England match when he wasn’t even England captain
Actually... those two have a lot in common
I suspect that if you were feeling angry already - and who isn’t? - then you’ll be absolutely apoplectic by the time Dom’s finished
It’s not like he’s going to come on and apologise, is it?
My local MP (Robert Largan, High Peak) has clearly got fed up of the stream of emails and posted a heavily caveated statement about "if the claims are true..." then he personally feels that DC's position is untenable. Stopped short if saying he should resign but at least he's read the room.
There's a funny thread on Twitter saying that journos at the press conference should all ask the same question "why are you such a ****?"
Constantly, each and every journalist there. "So Mr Cummings, based on the previous question, why ARE you such a ****?"
My bet is he’ll come out and use a load of loopholes and creative reading of the rules that put him in the clear.
My be is he'll tell everyone to "read Philip Tetlock's 'Supespreaders', instead of political pundits who don't know what they're talking about"
He is not elected
– He is not a civil servant
– He is not even a member of the Tory party– Why the hell is is making a statement?
This. He is not accountable to us, the Govt is. Boris should be making a statement and sacking him.
I genuinely fear that this going to end in him removing a chunk of the fake skin from his face to reveal the grotesque reptilian visage beneath.
Just like on that episode of V.
He's farming us for meat.
I really hope the Guardian or Mirror are holding back some evidence and they lead him into a rat trap of denial before pulling out a photo or CCTV screen grab proving his lie. That would be utterly fantastic.
I don't think he's going, it's just gonna be some bullshit defence.
I genuinely fear that this going to end in him removing a chunk of the fake skin from his face to reveal the grotesque reptilian visage beneath.
Just like on that episode of V.
I'm genuinely excited that Trump is going to do the same thing and reveal the punchline of a very long Andy Kaufman gag
Cummings has no right to address the nation, he going way above his station, Boris urgently needs to tell us he has sacked him or Cummings has handed in his resignation.
Anyone fancy another General Election before Xmas?
Looking at how the beeb are framing it (clean shaven tanned Cummings looking confident) I am starting to think he going to do the unthinkable and double-down.
Thing is, to do this, he will have to openly call Mr Lees of Barnard Castle a liar. I'm pretty sure a crowdfunding effort for Mr Lees to have tip-top legal representation would garner millions in a day or so. He could then play a blinder by pledging the excess left at the end to NHS charities.
There won't be a GE but JOhnson might be deposed
I really hope the Guardian or Mirror are holding back some evidence and they lead him into a rat trap of denial before pulling out a photo or CCTV screen grab proving his lie. That would be utterly fantastic.
There and then. A big reveal, live and uncut. Ooooooooh!
He'll have his kid in his arms again
I really hope the Guardian or Mirror are holding back some evidence and they lead him into a rat trap of denial before pulling out a photo or CCTV screen grab proving his lie. That would be utterly fantastic.
If they are they've had immense restraint not dropping it after yesterday's farce, would have been the perfect time to disprove everything Boris had just said on camera. Maybe they are hoping to get Cummings to say certain things on camera then drop the mother of all stories and take them both in one strike.
I like the way we've "taken back control" and were freed from the shackles of those "unelected bureaucrats" and now one of them has a slot on prime time TV to address the nation...
Hes gonna flip it on us:
Declare that he's firing Johnson & replacing him with Mark Francois & we can all shut up & deal with it.
He’ll have his kid in his arms again
Or carrying a kid’s helmet and scoot bike again.
What would Putin do, is a good starting point.
Threats and non applogy?
What would Putin do, is a good starting point.Threats and non applogy?
Ride in bare-chested on a tiger and have it rip everyone in the room to shreds?
…freed from the shackles of those “unelected bureaucrats” and now one of them has a slot on prime time TV to address the nation…
https://twitter.com/krishgm/status/1264906482019176448?s=21
You all know this will be "but my child has autism and I was so worried"
There are a lot of people who seem to think that the government advice is law. It isn’t.
https://twitter.com/detnam1/status/1264860008489066503?s=21
I reckon he'll blame it on Carole F*****g Baskin.
– He is not elected
– He is not a civil servant
– He is not even a member of the Tory party– Why the hell is is making a statement
Because he’s arrogant enough to believe he’s deserves to. He’ll repeat the message claiming he’s don’t nothing wrong, and the vile accusations against him are hurting his family and having an effect on his autistic son, and the nasty journalists need to stop doing it.
Also re Johnson; you’re right why isn’t he there? For whatever reason, he’s no longer able to do this job. He’s a (political) dead man walking.
Isn't he breaking the special advisors code of conduct though for getting involved in a political row?
Anyway what time is this on TV?
'The Police and Crime Commissioner of Durham has asked the chief constable to conduct a full inquiry into Dominic Cummings' visit in April.'
I wonder what Durham police will think is proportionate? Ultimately it's a 60 quid fine, isn't it?
Maybe run his numberplate against the ANPR cameras, see how much sight-seeing he actually did?
This. He is not accountable to us, the Govt is. Boris should be making a statement and sacking him.
If PM BoJo is to sack his advisor does that mean he is a good PM?
He’ll just come up with a new slogan to keep the gammons happy
“Free-dom means free-Dom” or something, job done
Watch this video on Cummings answering questions on the vote leave debacle.
Https://twitter.com/JMPSimor/status/1264893502426669058?s=19
Will give an indication.
This is one of the rules for special advisers - taken from Cathy Newman's (Channel 4) tweet:
Para 14 of the spads’ code of conduct: “Special advisers must not take public part in political controversy...They must observe discretion and express comment with moderation, avoiding personal attacks, and would not normally speak in public for their Minister or the Department.”:
It’s pretty much irrelevant now where he went or whether he was right or wrong. If he doesn’t go it will undermine the lockdown and people will die.
Doctors, nurses, key workers have laid down their lives fighting this virus and now he must quit to save lives and protect the NHS.
You'll be able to predict how it's going to go as soon as he walks into the room based purely on how he's dressed.
Dressed like an actual tramp? - "**** you, you plebs. I'm right and you're all wrong"
Suit and tie? - "Apparently, I'm supposed to be sorry or something"
Grey Nehru jacket? - "Bow down before your lizard overlords"
I’m going to go with the usual ‘teenager who’s been dragged out of his room by his mum for being on his X Box and watching porn for too long’ demeanour.
The look and demeanour I’m expecting:
4pm. Sky News.
https://twitter.com/RiksRedGuard/status/1264912160645406721?s=09
Ah, it's starting to make more sense now...
Seriously, though.
Taking the Mr Burns lizard overlord jokes out of it, how does STW think he's going to play it?
Does anyone think he going to try to brass neck this out? It's a ****ing barmy world we live in if he does.
I'm going for sympathy vote, sob story, non apology (sorry you were offended by my actions) and a weasel-like halfarsed resignation knowing full well he'll never really go away and more than likely will make a return in a few months.
If Boris think s he can lead us in trying to get a Brexit deal done when everyone thinks he's powerless he should think again.
Cummings must go today or any slither of respectability the UK has at any negotiating table is gone.
Taking the Mr Burns lizard overlord jokes out of it, how does STW think he’s going to play it?
He’ll give us the finger without a sniff of contrition.
All PM needs to do is stand firm with worse case scenario getting Cummings to pay the £60 fine. Case close.
No need to sack or to fire anyone else.
I wouldn't be at all surprised if he walked out clutching the aforementioned child and gave a "won't anyone think of the baby robins" defence.
He'll continue to dance on the graves of the Coronavirus dead without the merest flicker of remorse.
If the press don't tear into him like a pack of wolves after anything other than his resignation then this country is truly broken.
@crazy-legs. Almost too convenient to be true; but she apparently is not his sister, just shares the same surname.
no chance of a resignation
I expect a fully defiant "explanation" and no contrition
Cummings must go today or any slither of respectability the UK has at any negotiating table is gone.
If he "goes", he'll set himself up as Director of Political Advisory Company within a week and then the Government will appoint Political Advisory Company as their lead negotiator in all future dealings.
The only way he'll "go away" is if he dies and even then o bet his "teachings" will live on for the next 20 years.
I can't watch, it will make me too angry.
I can just about stand to find out what happened afterwards, since I'm expecting "sorry everyone was offended, won't happen again, sod the papers, they're awful liars"
I'm also in the camp of wtf is a spad doing "addressing the nation", when he should by now be skulking away jobless.
Why is the BBC giving prime airtime over to right wing nut jobs like Tom Harwood, as if they’re in any way credible commentator?
He’s on now giving it the full ‘boo hoo, poor Dom being picked on’
****!!!
All PM needs to do is stand firm with worse case scenario getting Cummings to pay the £60 fine. Case close.
No need to sack or to fire anyone else.
Bit early to be on acid, isn't it?
What the foreign press think.
Not sure about others I certainly don't trust any press.
If Boris think s he can lead us in trying to get a Brexit deal done when everyone thinks he’s powerless he should think again.
Those anti-Brexiters have always been anti-Brexit regardless. It is not as if they have been convinced over regarding Brexit before ...
Cummings must go today or any slither of respectability the UK has at any negotiating table is gone.
Cummings should stay. What can you do about it? Don't vote for Tory party?
No Deal. I really hope it is No Deal.
Why is the BBC giving prime airtime over to right wing nut jobs like Tom Harwood, as if they’re in any way credible?
Because Dominic told them too?
Hope you’re ready for a pasty run TJ? 😃
I think this is going to be an anticlimax, hope not.
Why is the BBC giving prime airtime over to right wing nut jobs like Tom Harwood, as if they’re in any way credible?
Because the BBC/press has been starved of "interesting" news during the lockdown period; and now developed into frothing rabid behaviour fighting for left over of tiny fragment of bones.
Talking toey heads making it look like we are about to be told to know our place
I'm watching with a strangely horrified fascination.
I have a nice evening planned to calm down if this slimy shit doesn't resign.
If someone can get me a a 54" 4K TV in tonights riots and leave it on my doorstep than that'd be grand.
I'd get it myself but I'm self isolating.
I can’t watch, it will make me too angry.
I can just about stand to find out what happened afterwards
Same here!
Please, pretty please an someone do a killfile for IOS
Hope you’re ready for a pasty run TJ? 😃
Don't taste your pasties before I have bought them! Still got till Sunday!
I've changed my mind.
I think he's going to balls this out.
Hope the Graun have got something more to nail this arrogant unelected bastard.
do a killfile for IOS
Not needed. Just laugh and don’t reply.
I think he’s going to balls this out.
Of course he is. In his mind it’s a proof of power, strength and worthiness do not say sorry or act with contrition.
Not going to watch that vile man live, I think what he is going to say and not resign will spoil the rest of my day.