After weeks of embarrassing headlines over lockdown gatherings and criticism over his failure to heed scientists’ advice ahead of Christmas, Boris Johnson has found himself the target of some rather different negative publicity.
Chants of “Stand up if you hate Boris” could be heard as spectators packed Alexandra Palace in London for the 2022 PDC World Darts Championship on Monday evening.
Public health experts have warned the event was “Covid spreаding on steroids”. Earlier on Monday, millions of people and businesses were left in limbo after a two-hour cabinet meeting on new Covid restrictions ended with no decision being taken.
Prof Keith Neаl, а public heаlth expert аt the University of Nottinghаm, said the championship – which is expected to draw in 80,000 fans – should not have gone ahead with fans in attendance. “There is no concept of social distancing and they will not be wearing masks because they are drinking,” he said.
As if things could not get worse for our Prime Minister, here’s the crowd chanting “Stand up if you hate Boris” at the 2022 Darts World Championship at Alexandra Palace in London tonight. pic.twitter.com/N0kVvUuQ9t
— Christopher Hope📝 (@christopherhope) December 20, 2021
Johnson may have hoped to score points by delaying new Covid measures but Downing Street’s failure to apologise for a photograph showing him, his wife and up to 17 staff seemingly having drinks during the first lockdown in May 2020 appears to have put his face squarely back on the public’s dartboard.
