Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab (Aaron Chown/PA)
(Picture: PA Wire)Dominic Raab, the foreign secretary-turned-justice secretary who gave us the incredible “beach is closed” line, is back on Twitter’s trending list today with another comment which has been met with ridicule on social media.
The Esher and Walton MP, who is also deputy prime minister, appeared on Sky News this morning where he was quizzed on yet another picture appearing to show a party during lockdown last year.
The snap, published in The Guardian, shows Boris Johnson and his now wife Carrie having drinks in the garden of Number 10 with Downing Street staff. According to the paper, it took place in May 2020, when the UK was put into lockdown.
Dominic Rennie Raab sure lived up to his middle name – one shared with a tablet for trapped wind – as he let slip a terrible blunder in an attempt to defend the government’s actions.
In her grilling of Raab, presenter Kay Burley said: “[Carrie’s] sat down, with the baby, nursing the baby, there’s wine on the table, there’s cheese there, there’s at least 14, 15 other people in the garden.”
The justice secretary replied: “That’s because it’s a place of work, they’re all in suits or predominantly in formal attire … To be honest with you, the prime minister is in a suit, the officials there…
He went on: “So, some of them have taken their jackets off.”
Burley then responded: “So it’s only a business meeting if you’ve got a suit on?”
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Twitter users have since expressed shock and frustration at the “ridiculous” statement:
Also, "all wearing suits" is obviously ridiculous but also has the serious implication that Raab, as the govt's representative on this and having been fully briefed, really can't think of a good reason why this meeting was a "work" meeting
— Adam Wagner (@AdamWagner1) December 20, 2021
Dominic Raab decided to tell the media this morning that despite the wine and cheese, the photo from May last year of the Downing Street party was of a business meeting because people were wearing suits. He and the Prime Minister really are laughing at us aren’t they.
— Bill Esterson (@Bill_Esterson) December 20, 2021
Luckily we have Dominic Raab to remind us about the rule of 19 If They’re Wearing Suits And There’s A Baby Present which was definitely in place. pic.twitter.com/f8vppv2RC8
— David Schneider (@davidschneider) December 20, 2021
Ok Raab trying to make the not-social-gathering drinks get-together a non-social non-rule-breaking business meeting because despite the wine they were wearing suits though some had taken their jackets off - has to be such flagrant twistery & dishonesty as to be lunatic. #GTTO.
— A C Grayling #FBPE 3.5% #Reform #Rejoin #FBPA 🐟 (@acgrayling) December 20, 2021
Things I’ve learnt from Dominic Raab
— Nick🇬🇧🇪🇺 (@nicktolhurst) December 20, 2021
1. Dover is quite an important port
2. A party isn’t a party if people wear suits
3. The sea “closes” sometimes
Dominic Raab claims the pictures of the party at number 10 are obviously not a party, because 🧐 they are in suits. This man is a real life person... 🤯🤯
— Jack Duncan 🔻 (@JackDunc1) December 20, 2021
So according to Dominic Raab, its OK to meet in large groups for a booze-up during lockdowns if you're wearing a suit?
— Mark Hebden 💙 (@unionlib) December 20, 2021
Dominic Raab has to whistle when he goes to the toilet so he knows which end to wipe.
Men wear suits to parties especially formal social functions at work places eg No 10 Downing Street
— Dr Shola Mos-Shogbamimu (@SholaMos1) December 20, 2021
Presence of Carrie & baby means this was a social function at a work place and not work meeting.If it was business, tell us why she was there
Dominic Raab lying through his teeth https://t.co/H2UqeFzzgD
Dominic Raab tells @TimesRadio:
— Matt Chorley (@MattChorley) December 20, 2021
"This was not a social gathering. It is palpably not a social gathering, because you had people in work suits."
Yeah, because nobody ever socialises in a work suit.
How would he have spotted it was a social gathering? If they were all naked?
Dominic Raab is like Jack in Jack and the Beanstalk.
— David Quantick (@quantick) December 20, 2021
"Did you tell them that it was a socially distanced work meeting taken outside for extra ventilation?"
"No! I said something better!"
"What?"
"I said it wasn't a party because we were wearing suits!"
"Oh God."
Anyway, has Raab ever been seen in something other than a suit?
— Prof Paul Bernal (@PaulbernalUK) December 20, 2021
Heard it all now. Raab says it can't be a social gathering as they're (PM + staff) wearing suits. Seriously? SERIOUSLY??!! I am lost for words
— Lynn Braben #TUSC #LFC Traitors get fearing! (@LynnBraben) December 20, 2021
With Dominic Raab helpfully clarifying that wearing a suit denotes a work meeting, it comes as particularly good news for one Cabinet Minister as the Gov debates another lockdown… pic.twitter.com/rWESMk3eDw
— Prof. Chris Ashford (@lawandsexuality) December 20, 2021
Personally I cannot wait for the next moment my Ted Baker suit jacket gets me out of trouble – cheers, Raab!
