Rylan Clark is caught up in bizarre Twitter row with former MP Edwina Currie as they clash over Boris Johnson’s Partygate
- Comments came after Boris Johnson was fined for going to a party in lockdown
Rylan Clark and Edwina Currie were caught up in an unexpected war of words on Wednesday as they clashed over an appropriate punishment for Prime Minister for attending a string of law-breaking Downing Street events.
After the news broke that Boris Johnson is set to be fined for attending his 56th birthday in June 2020, Rylan tweeted on Tuesday: ‘He’s officially broke the law . That’s it ain’t it?’
Yet former Conservative Party MP Edwina found the tweet the following day, replying: ‘No, it isn’t. Shouldn’t have happened, but it’s done now. In case you hadn’t noticed, this all happened two years ago. Putin is laughing at us. Get Real.’
Unexpected: Rylan Clark and Edwina Currie were caught up in an unexpected war of words on Wednesday as they clashed over an appropriate punishment for Prime Minister
In response, Rylan told fans: ‘I did not have @Edwina_Currie on my bingo card for this morning. Edwina, there’s a war, we’re living with Covid, there’s a lot going on publicly and personally.
‘I’m aware when it was. Believe me I don’t need to “get real” it’s a statement. Not an opinion. You stay well, as will I.’
Boris Johnson was today warned he could face Partygate fines totalling £10,000 if he is punished for attending a string of law-breaking Downing Street events.
Speaking out: Former Conservative Party MP Edwina defended Boris Johnson
The Prime Minister, his wife Carrie and Chancellor Rishi Sunak apologised and paid up yesterday after being handed fixed penalty notices (FPNs) over a party for the PM’s 56th birthday in June 2020.
But Mr Johnson has been placed at several other events also being investigated by Scotland Yard’s Opweration Hillman, for which fines have yet to be dished out.
It means that the £50 he paid yesterday may not be the end of the matter. Human rights barrister Adam Wagner told Sky News the PM could end up paying more than £10,000 in total due.
‘Each one doubles, so if the Prime Minister attended six gatherings and five of which he’s at risk of getting a fixed penalty notice for – if he get’s a fixed penalty notice in order for each one then he could end up paying over £10,000.’
Clash: After the news broke that Boris Johnson is set to be fined for attending his 56th birthday in June 2020, Rylan tweeted on Tuesday: ‘He’s officially broke the law . That’s it ain’t it?’
When asked whether he thinks there are further fines in the pipeline for Mr Johnson, the lawyer and Covid legislation expert said: ‘I would be surprised if there aren’t.
‘I always thought the birthday party was very straight forward, but there are other gatherings which are even more straightforward – the December 18 and the Christmas party and various leaving dos.’
It came as the first Tory MP broke ranks to demand Mr Johnson step down after being found to have broken the law.
Nigel Mills, who represents Amber Valley in Derbyshire, told BBC Radio Derby: ‘In all conscience I don’t think a prime minister can survive or should survive breaking the rules he put in place and he was on the TV every few nights, reminding us all that we should observe.
‘We have to have higher standards than that of people at the top. He has been fined, I don’t think his position is tenable, in my view.’
Meanwhile friends of a furious Mr Sunak have blamed the Johnson’s for his Partygate fine and had to be talked out of quitting as Chancellor last night – relenting only because it would have taken down the Prime Minister as well.
The event on June 19, 2020 was organised by Mrs Johnson and the Chancellor is said to only have been present briefly as he made his way to a meeting in the building.
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