“Does the Prime Minister really understand why people are angry?”
(Picture: Twitter)Sky News presenter Trevor Phillips held back tears as he recalled the heartbreaking story of his daughter’s death while discussing ‘Partygate’ with Tory chair Oliver Dowden.
Speaking on Sunday’s show, Phillips quizzed Dowden on whether Boris Johnson truly understood the nation’s anger over the Downing Street parties, adding that “a civil servant’s inquiry” will not suffice.
Phillips said: “We all stuck to the spirit and the letter of the rules. On the Saturday after watching the funeral of Prince Philip, I went to one of my friends’ 70th birthday party.
“He hired a tent, he has got loads of friends, but he hired a tent just for the six of us so that we could sit outside. He stuck to the spirit and the letter of the rules. At that dinner, I get a call, my daughter has collapsed. As you will know, for months she had been isolated, she was ill.
“By the following morning, she had died and she had stuck to the spirit and letter of the rules. Now, there are going to be thousands of people who have that story in their background. And if I may say so, you are in here telling me about a civil servant’s inquiry. That will not answer that anger.
“Does the Prime Minister really understand why people are angry?”
Phillips’ daughter, freelance journalist Sushila, 36, died in April last year after living with anorexia for 22 years.
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This is a deeply moving and devastating speech by Trevor, and Mr Dowden's generic stock response simply will not hold. https://t.co/baUwIUfZ4u
— Alexander Brown (@AlexofBrown) January 16, 2022
In response, Dowden responded: “I know how much you have suffered during this period.”
“It shouldn’t have happened and it was wrong, they’ve already apologised for doing so. It was just wrong and it shouldn’t have happened.”
He added: “In order to move on from this, we first of all need to establish the full facts of what happened at all the different alleged events that took place and that’s the purpose of the Sue Gray inquiry.”
People turned to Twitter with messages of support for the broadcaster.
Piers Morgan spoke out and tweeted: “Heart-breaking. This is why Boris Johnson has to go - so many people have tragic stories like this, and all the time the Prime Minister and his staff were practising the opposite to what they preached.”
This is all one really needs to watch. It is unbearable but goes to the heart of why Johnson cannot remain PM. There is no way back from this.
— Stephen Pollard (@stephenpollard) January 16, 2022
Much love to @TrevorPTweets - God knows how how he held it together https://t.co/LWvie9Y1Xc
Saw Trevor Phillips on Sky describing his daughters last months and how they all followed the rules before she sadly died. His emotion brought me to tears. People are angry, others are devastated at the damage caused by lockdown while politicians didn't follow their own rules https://t.co/xN5wTFrsdn
— 🌸WeeMama 💜 🤍💚 (@Proud_Mama1) January 16, 2022
So sad 💔 This government (and those still supporting them) obviously don’t understand the hurt and anger this has caused or they simply don’t care. Sadly, I think it’s the latter.#BorisJohnsonResign https://t.co/ddVWe1Q7uX
— Debbie (@DebbieMssi) January 16, 2022
How hard must that of been to do. Deep respect to #TrevorPhillips. https://t.co/1HDC7wmE6c
— Wolf_Brother (@WolfBrother_) January 16, 2022
If your not genuinely moved by this interview by Trevor Phillips then you are indeed a cold fish like Oliver Dowding 😔 https://t.co/XOKCBZ0WfX
— David Hendry 💙🏴 (@DavidHe93145948) January 16, 2022
Incredibly powerful remarks by @TrevorPTweets. https://t.co/tOWnvWpXAv
— Darren Grimes (@darrengrimes_) January 16, 2022
This is why we are not moving on, it’s 💔to hear Trevor break down again whilst talking about his beloved daughter & to read stories of loss like his on Twitter, no matter how much they go out & apologise for Johnson we know that he’s only full of remorse because he got caught.
— Sue 💙 🐝 (@suzie_wong_86) January 16, 2022
They say they “understand” but they really don’t. They express sympathy but there’s no sincerity. They just want people to shut up about it and move on. It’s not going to happen.
— Gilmount101 (@gilmount101) January 16, 2022
Heartbreaking.
