Jason Manford has hit out at the ‘country we live in’ after three police officers were forced to stand up on a two-hour train journey for fear of looking lazy
Comedian Jason Manford has hit out at the ‘country we live in’ after spotting three policemen forced to stand up for a two-hour train journey for fear of looking lazy.
The comic, 37, was on a Virgin train from Manchester to London yesterday when he saw three police officers standing in the doorway.
He was confused when he saw staff and passengers repeatedly offer them a seat, food and drink and they turned them all down.
When he asked the trio what happened they said they were afraid of ‘looking lazy’ if someone took a picture of them sitting down and having a cup of tea.
The Eight Out Of Ten Cats star added the officers were taking home a group of missing children who had been found in Manchester back down to London.
He wrote on his Facebook page: ‘Saw three coppers today spend the whole 2 hour plus journey from London to Manchester stood up in the vestibule.
‘They were offered a seat and countless brews & snacks from Virgin staff but turned them all down.
‘As I was getting off I asked them if it was some sort of endurance test to stand up for that long and they replied ‘no but if we sit down and have a brew and someone takes a photo for the papers, it’ll make us all look lazy’.
‘What a country we live in, that these people who protect ours and our families lives every day, often putting their lives on the line, can’t even take the weight off their feet for fear of some grass shopping them in and it being taken out of context by the media.
‘(FYI They has been taking a load of runaway kids who’d been found in Manchester, back down to London).’
The comic, 37, of Greater Manchester, posted this on his Facebook page after the train journey from Manchester to London yesterday
His post was liked and shared thousands of times, with fans praising the comedian for highlighting the issue of police scrutiny.
One person posted: ‘Well done for highlighting this kind of thing!’
Another wrote: ‘Unfortunately they are right and that would probably happen,
‘Typical society we live in people doing anything for a Facebook like or a bit of social media attention, the worlds gone mad.’
Another person commented: ‘People give them such grief but when something goes wrong they’re the first to expect help. Really sad.’
Someone else on Facebook agreed: ‘Just shows how pathetic our country is getting no respect anymore,’ while another wrote: ‘Way of the world now. People like to feel superior outing people on social media.’
The comic, 37, was on a Virgin train (file image) from Manchester to London yesterday when he saw the three police officers standing up
Several current and ex-policemen and emergency service workers also joined in the debate to congratulate Mr Manford for raising awareness of the issue.
One said: ‘Thank you for standing up for our often much maligned and under valued officers.’
Another wrote: ‘We are hated and criticised by some, but we are thick skinned and they always get their comeuppance !
‘Thanks peeps for all your kind words and thanks Jason Manford for raising awareness! Protect and Serve – we do try honestly xx’
One other person commented: ‘Thanks Jason Manford for some positive comments regarding the Police. Been in similar situations myself, sad but true.’
MailOnline has contacted British Transport Police for comment.
