Boris Johnson fighting for life in ICU was ‘publicity stunt for sympathy', says UK politician
A councilor from the Labour Party has been slammed for calling the UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson's battle with the deadly novel coronavirus a "publicity stunt." Leeds representative Julie Heselwood's alarming comment came at a time when the British leader was hospitalized and fighting for his life in intensive care.
Heselwood reportedly warned her constituents to not "fall for it" and said that Johnson's illness was just an effort to gain sympathy. Her comments came to the fore after she replied to a post by radio presenter Ryan Swain. Heselwood commented on the post, writing: "It's a publicity stunt - they were doing badly being criticized for their handling of this, next thing he's in hospital in ICU - a publicity stunt for sympathy and to change the narrative. Don't fall for it."
However, shortly after she wrote the controversial comment, she faced a heavy backlash from Facebook users, with one person writing: "With a comment like that, you're not fit to be a counselor for any party!" The politician replied to this comment by saying: "I just understand politics."
The politician further wrote: "I'm out there in the community I represent, delivering food parcels, getting shopping for older people self-isolating - so doing my job. My father died of pneumonia six years ago whilst battling cancer - what was Johnson and his give doing then? Removing the funding that was helping to keep my dad alive - so forgive me for being cynical," according to the Sun.
It was reported on Thursday, April 8, that Johnson, who had first announced his COVID-19 diagnosis on March 5, is out of intensive care at St Thomas' Hospital, in London.
Heselwood, after her comment sparked widespread condemnation, removed it, issuing an apology instead. She wrote: "I was wrong, I should never have made that claim and I apologize unreservedly. I wish the Prime Minister a speedy recovery and my thoughts are with him and his family at what I know is a very difficult time for them."
A spokesperson from the Labor party also released a statement, saying: "Leeds City Council is working round the clock in one of the country’s largest districts to respond to this global public health crisis. All Labour councilors are doing what they can to keep services running, keep people safe and support their communities. Julie Heselwood fully accepts her post was wrong and has apologized unreservedly for it."
The attack on the Prime Minister came just days after Sheila Oake, Mayor of Heanor, Derbyshire and other social media users slammed the leader, stating that he "completely deserves" to struggle with the coronavirus infection. "Sorry he completely deserves this and he is one of the worst PMs we've ever had," Oak tweeted earlier this month.
After noting the criticism on Twitter, 'Good Morning Britain' host Piers Morgan slammed social media users for celebrating Johnson being in the ICU. Morgan, in a furious tirade on his show on April 7 asked them to "just shut up".
"To those people on social media who can't find it in themselves to be positive for the Prime Minister right now, who want to abuse him – if you're of that mindset, just shut up," he said. "Nobody wants to hear this. Nobody wants to hear trolling against Boris Johnson. Just stop it. Honestly, it's beyond imagination that that should be your thought process. The man's fighting for his life."