We would say that a Telegraph cartoonist stating that an NHS doctor “deserves to be verbally abused in public” is rather sketchy, for the sake of a pun, but we think that would be an understatement.
The doctor in question was Rachel Clarke, who works in palliative care, and was verbally abused on public transport on Monday as a result of her wearing a face mask.
“[It’s] something I choose to do (1) to protect others, (2) to try and help public spaces feel less threatening to anyone clinically vulnerable. People are dying of Covid in my hospital. *How* have we got here?
“I understand masks have been deliberately weaponised (face nappies for bedwetters etc.). But seriously, everyone knows mask-wearing in public is mainly about just trying, in a tiny way, to help vulnerable others.
“It’s the furthest thing from hateful,” she tweeted.
However, Telegraph cartoonist Bob Moran quote tweeted the post and added that Clarke “deserves to be verbally abused in public for the rest of her worthless existence”.
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He added: “If you disagree with this statement, you don’t fully understand what people like her have actually done.”
After Clarke responded by asking TheTelegraph why they “employ a man who openly abuses NHS staff”, Moran replied with a question of his own.
“Why do you employ a woman who promotes disgusting ideologies, without moral or scientific justification, which lead to the deaths of children, @NHSEngland? This is pure, unspeakable evil and you appear to condone it,” he said.
Why do you employ a woman who promotes disgusting ideologies, without moral or scientific justification, which lead to the deaths of children, @NHSEngland? This is pure, unspeakable evil and you appear to condone it. https://t.co/pAuTe6CLbk
— Bob Moran (@bobscartoons) September 28, 2021
Moran’s tweet stating that Clarke “deserves to be verbally abused” has since been removed from Twitter for violating the social media platform’s rules.
The illustrator’s remarks have since sparked anger online, and have been described as “shocking” by fellow Twitter users:
This is appalling to hear Rachel – this is completely unacceptable and should not be tolerated; there should be consequences for abusing NHS staff like this.
— The BMA (@TheBMA) September 28, 2021
If there is any way we can be of help here please send us a DM so we can follow up
This is fairly shocking from this @Telegraph cartoonist pic.twitter.com/Z5zF244p2u
— Otto English (@Otto_English) September 28, 2021
Until I see evidence to the contrary I’m going to assume that The Daily Telegraph endorses harassment: pic.twitter.com/hdfM0y3HQ5
— Mic Wright (@brokenbottleboy) September 28, 2021
A cartoonist for the @Telegraph calling for the targeted public abuse of a palliative care doctor pic.twitter.com/ekqyILLPet
— Tabitha McIntosh 🦡 (@TabitaSurge) September 28, 2021
Daily Telegraph condoning a campaign to harass and verbally abuse doctors and health workers?
— Peter Jukes (@peterjukes) September 28, 2021
Certainly looks like it unless an immediate retraction happens. Serious stuff. We know that verbal abuse leads to violence https://t.co/xrH4n5z5Qe
this is not acceptable - depsicable. And @Telegraph are you really ok with this? https://t.co/sjxFyYI1Cx
— Prof. Christina Pagel (@chrischirp) September 28, 2021
Another very normal day at The Telegraph HQ as their cartoonists' tweet is taken down by Twitter for targeted harrasment of an NHS doctor.
— Jakub Krupa (@JakubKrupa) September 28, 2021
"Cancel culture is out of control" I mutter as I read the Times columnist who wished someone "fuck off on to hell” just after their death and suffered no consequences, before reading a cartoon from the Telegraph guy who endorses abuse of a doctor and will suffer no consequences
— James Felton (@JimMFelton) September 28, 2021
Morning @Telegraph you need to have a word with your cartoonist as a matter of urgency.
— Sarah Phelps (@PhelpsieSarah) September 28, 2021
Dear @Telegraph, I'm sure you've seen this tweet by your employee has been removed for violating rules.
— Ranj Singh (@DrRanj) September 28, 2021
This is uncalled-for & abhorrent abuse of NHS staff on a public platform at a time when pressures are high & morale is low.
I hope you'll be posting an official response? pic.twitter.com/BBVrr6qqVG
Does it bother you that your “I’ve done a defamation, please retweet” tweet will be the funniest point of your career
— James Felton (@JimMFelton) September 28, 2021
Who to believe about science, a palliative care doctor, or a bloke with some crayons? 🤔
— ColumbiaByOasis (@BlunderbussHB) September 28, 2021
Cos Bob the Cartoonist knows more about medicine than the Doctor about medical science?
— James Dickinson (@misterdickinson) September 28, 2021
You appear to be in need of medical attention.
— Katharine Reeve (@kreeve) September 28, 2021
In a follow-up tweet, Clarke indicated that she may launch a crowdfunding campaign to generate money to sue Moran, asking her followers: “Might you be willing to help me?”
She also responded to one user to confirm that she has contacted the police about the online interaction.
Meanwhile, the Press Gazette reports that the Telegraph is to suspend Moran following the incident.
Indy100 reached out to Clarke, but she declined to comment.
We have also contacted Moran and The Telegraph for a statement.
