Former Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries faced ridicule on social media after criticising Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer. Dorries tweeted about Starmer accepting a donation to support his son’s education, accusing him of using his position for personal gain.
Political commentator Marina Purkiss quickly responded, pointing out the hypocrisy. Purkiss reminded the public that Dorries had previously paid her daughters up to £80,000 from public funds for working in her parliamentary office. This payment sparked controversy at the time, with many questioning the ethics of the decision.
On Twitter, Dorries was heavily “ratioed.” This term refers to a post receiving far more negative comments and retweets than likes – a clear sign that the public disagrees with the original tweet. Purkiss’s response received more attention than Dorries’ original post and resonated with many who have criticised Dorries for years.
Dorries’ payments to her daughters, Philippa and Jennifer, became a scandal during her time in office. Critics saw this as an example of nepotism and questioned whether the funds were used appropriately. The total amount reportedly reached £80,000, raising concerns about the misuse of public money.
Purkiss used this background to highlight the double standards in Dorries’ attempt to attack Starmer. Many online echoed Purkiss’s sentiment, calling out Dorries for criticising others while having her own financial controversies.
Dorries’ political career has faced further challenges. She stepped down as an MP but delayed her official resignation for months. This left her constituents without representation as she waited for answers about why Prime Minister Rishi Sunak denied her a peerage.
In the end, Purkiss’s tweet was more than just a viral moment. It served as a reminder that Dorries’ own actions are still fresh in the public’s mind. For Dorries, this was another reminder that criticising others can backfire when your own past is in question.
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