Perhaps in part as sweet revenge for the way Boris Johnson disrespected the business world during his CBI speech, Ryanair has savaged the government over the now infamous Downing Street party allegations by mocking their Covid alert system.
Posting on Twitter, the airline posted the system, rightly informing people that the Covid alert level has been moved from level three to four.
But it then posted a complimentary scale showing what kind of party they’d expect to see in Downing Street at each Covid level.
The UK Covid Alert Level has been increased from Level 3 to Level 4 pic.twitter.com/7TTpwIDz98
— Ryanair (@Ryanair) December 13, 2021
At level one, when Covid is no longer present in the UK, Ryanair joked Downing Street would host a small gathering with wine and cheese.
At level two, when cases and transmissions are low, the airline said the government would have tinsel and party hats and said the PM would host a pub quiz – alluding to allegations that Johnson hosted a virtual quiz last December which some colleagues met in person to attend.
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At level three, the virus is in circulation. To Ryanair this means “booze, snogging, (Michael) Gove in charge of refreshments”.
And at level four – the level we are at now with high transmission – we’d see “Boris topless, asking Thatcher’s portrait if she comes here often” while at five, when there is a risk of healthcare services being overwhelmed, we’d apparently see “full on rave”.
“Everyone off their tits. Jacob [presumably Rees-Mogg] crying in corner asking for nanny,” it adds.
The chart obviously refers to allegations that the government broke its own Covid restrictions last year by socialising outside of work to host a number of parties and gatherings. Johnson has insisted no rules were broken but he has also told cabinet secretary Simon Case to investigate one alleged bash which is said to have taken place on 18 December, and after footage emerged of staff planning how to deal with press questions about the “non-event”. Former spokesman for the PM Allegra Stratton later resigned for her role in the saga.
Reacting to the chart, some people thought it was brilliant.
I mean, I hate Ryanair too, but I'm enjoying a hateful airplane company ragging on a terrible Prime Minister. Small joys where you can find them, and all that. https://t.co/Mi59dvRXhl
— Caitlin Moran (@caitlinmoran) December 13, 2021
Round of applause for the Ryanair social media team 👏👏👏👏😂😂😂😂
— Steve (@111steve111) December 13, 2021
I have never loved you. Now I love you.
— Xeni (@xeni) December 13, 2021
Promote whoever wrote this immediately
— Blaine (@blaineharrison) December 13, 2021
This is why I fly Ryanair 😍
— EThomas 🏴 (@EeeGeeTee20) December 13, 2021
Well done on this. It doesn't in any way make up for the awful service and ridiculous pricing structure etc, but well done.
— Bennett Arron 🏴 (@BennettArron) December 13, 2021
Ryan Air has more moral authority than the Tories. Dear god.
— Malex (@markpalexander) December 13, 2021
ooof.
— Enilorac (@BexBitchley) December 13, 2021
Ryan Air doing more to hold the Government to account than the Met Police. https://t.co/eKdcmyaTYH
I hope someone buys the PR guy at Ryanair a few cheeky pints for that slamming tweet today.
— That Baratheon Girl 🍷🇪🇺🌹 (@baratheongirl) December 13, 2021
Strewth. Even Ryanair is trolling the government now 😂😂 https://t.co/eFtL9fcwl8
— Mat Oxley (@matoxley) December 14, 2021
But others thought it was pretty unprofessional – maybe as unprofessional as (apparently) hosting parties during lockdown?
Looks like a vacancy will soon be opening up in the @Ryanair marketing department
— Peter Grant (@PeterGrantMedia) December 13, 2021
You just reminded me why I NEVER fly with Ryanair.
— Stephen Young (@SteveYoung_1) December 13, 2021
Imagine being a professional airline and posting something like this. 🤡
— Casey ⚕ (@MedCasey) December 13, 2021
On one level this is unprofessional. On another it’s showing what a shocking state our government is in when companies can openly mock them. They must be confident that most of the public will be in agreement with them. Time for change
— Alan1975 (@ruspola) December 13, 2021
And since the tweet blew up, the airline posted an update about the latest member of their legal team who will deal with any backlash...
Introducing the new member of our legal team who will deal with the aftermath of admins #downingstreetparty tweets. Congrats Kim, on passing the baby bar. pic.twitter.com/FvgiWBgPgY
— Ryanair (@Ryanair) December 13, 2021
That’s one airline firmly off Boris’ Christmas card list.
