YOU’D have to be living under a rock to have missed the big news this week.
On Monday, a bombshell story rocked Westminster to its very core.
No, not the vote of no confidence in Prime Minister Boris Johnson. It was of course the world exclusive delivered by none other than GB News.
In an earth-shattering announcement, reporter Tom Harwood revealed he had “obtained” photos of “Sue Gray – whose report criticised the Downing Street drinking culture – singing karaoke at a boozy Whitehall pre-pandemic bash”.
The former Guido Fawkes writer added: “The picture reveals the senior civil servant enjoying the same karaoke machine cited in her own report.”
EXCL: I have obtained an image of Sue Gray - whose report criticised the Downing Street drinking culture - singing karaoke at a boozy Whitehall pre-pandemic bash. The picture reveals the senior civil servant enjoying the same karaoke machine cited in her own report. pic.twitter.com/zR2qAR8N5s
— Tom Harwood (@tomhfh) June 6, 2022
Amazingly, the picture of the senior civil servant enjoying a hit from Grease before 99% of us had even heard of the word coronavirus hasn’t captured the public’s imagination in the way he would have liked.
Janey Godley summed up the general response, commenting: “Hilarious.”
Hilarious 😂😂😂 https://t.co/Oj7mT04fIL
— Janey Godley (@JaneyGodley) June 6, 2022
SNP MP Anne McLaughlin added: “With Tom on the case I feel it's time for my own confession. I sang at a karaoke night in 1985. I am sorry. I didn’t know the harm it would cause in decades to come.”
Campaigner and author Jack Monroe wrote: “EXCL: THE ENTIRE COUNTRY LEFT THE HOUSE WITHOUT WEARING FACE MASKS AND HAND SANITISER PRE-PANDEMIC TOO. You’re scraping that barrel so feverishly that you’re wearing a hole right through it, Tom.”
Others, meanwhile, shared their own exclusive pictures.
I have obtained an image of another Pre pandemic bash Tom. DM me for further info https://t.co/4XsiThlg47 pic.twitter.com/5ToCpVkeBm
— Jamie Hutchinson (@JamieHComedy) June 6, 2022
Journalists were similarly complimentary.
Former BBC broadcaster Gavin Esler posted: “A GB news exclusive is only exclusive because nobody else is stupid enough to think that using a karaoke machine before the pandemic is a news story. One of the dimmest self-owns in a while.”
A GB news exclusive is only exclusive because nobody else is stupid enough to think that using a karaoke machine before the pandemic is a news story. One of the dimmest self-owns in a while. https://t.co/tighBE3IOv
— Gavin Esler (@gavinesler) June 6, 2022
Herald reporter David Leask wrote: “If GB News was a normal, functioning news organisation, a kind older exec, probably in a grey cardigan, would be taking Tom aside and explaining to him why his career is over.”
Scotsman journalist Martyn McLaughlin added: “As many a gnarled newspaper executive has pointed out, some exclusives are destined to stay exclusive.”
