Brian Cox had the best response to Jacob Rees-Mogg ‘vetting’ guest speakers
Over on Twitter FT journalist Katie Martin shared the news that one government ministry was checking the social media accounts of guest speakers just in case they’ve ever – gasp! – criticised the government.
The new rules – overseen by Cabinet Office minister Jacob Rees-Mogg – will see outside guests taking part in ‘learning and development’ events vetted for anything they said over a 5-year period.
UK civil servants have been ordered to trawl through the social media accounts of guest speakers at one government ministry, including going back up to five years to see if they have ever criticised government policy, as part of a new vetting process. https://t.co/SN0Uk9ZCX6 pic.twitter.com/TU7o5K94qf
— Katie Martin (@katie_martin_fx) August 14, 2022
Just in case that’s tricky to read, here is the key quote highlighted by @katie_martin_fx.
And while it prompted no shortage of totally on-point replies …
Ironically this might mean excluding most conservative commentators…
— The Columnist (@Sime0nStylites) August 14, 2022
Wouldn’t it exclude Liz Truss who has been extremely critical of government policy🤔
— David Higham (@oldtrotter) August 14, 2022
Sounds awfully like that “cancel culture” thing that the right keep banging on about.
— Clive Kaine #takebackbritain #FBPE #rejoineu 💙💙 (@kainey54) August 14, 2022
… the best surely went to the great Brian Cox.
In my opinion all government policy stretching back up to five years has been a bag of shite. That’s one less talk to give …. https://t.co/3VoIvRSJTa
— Brian Cox (@ProfBrianCox) August 14, 2022
Boom.
Just the last five?!
— mungetta (@mungetta) August 14, 2022
I’m just doing the minimum to avoid an invitation, as per the guidelines.
— Brian Cox (@ProfBrianCox) August 14, 2022
And finally, while we’re here, this is what LBC’s James O’Brien made of it.
Woke Watch: James O'Brien hammers Jacob Rees-Mogg for ordering civil servants to vet guest speakers' social media accounts.@mrjamesob pic.twitter.com/RLqXyqjT2O
— LBC (@LBC) August 15, 2022
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Source Twitter @ProfBrianCox @katie_martin_fx
