When a national event occurs concerning the Government, the well-trodden path if you work in local media is to ask the local MP – in the Isle of Wight’s case, Bob Seely – what their reaction to it is. This is done so the people the MP is paid to represent know where their mind lies.
As the news broke that the Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, and the Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, were to be fined for attending gatherings during the time the whole country had been told that they weren’t allowed to meet in groups, we wrote to Bob Seely to seek his opinion.
Two simple questions
Imagining the MP would be busy responding to many queries, News OnTheWight just sent over two simple, quick-to-answer questions:
- Now that Boris Johnson [is to be] fined by the police for attending a party/parties in lockdown, do you think he should resign?
- Are you concerned that Boris Johnson has previously said that all of the guidelines were followed, where the fines from the police prove this not to be the case?
The reply?
“Bob is away at the moment but looks forward to providing his comments when he returns.”
We responded
“When is Bob due back? Obviously this is a ‘now’ news story. Is he not contactable?”
The answer?
“Bob’s expected back late this week and isn’t readily contactable at the moment I’m afraid.”
Avoiding the question
Bob Seely has previously twice avoided answering direct questions we’ve put to him about the PM breaking lockdown restrictions.
On 12th January 2022, News OnTheWight asked him “Do you still support Boris Johnson as Prime Minister?” He chose not to answer whether or not he supported the Prime Minister.
Giving him a second chance, on the 31st January 2022, we sent him three questions, including, “Do you still support Boris Johnson as Prime Minister?” Again he avoided answering the question.
Seaview lockdown party
Bob Seely was caught out attending a BBQ during Lockdown.
The ‘Bring Your Own Drinks’ Downing Street garden party was held just two days before the BBQ in Seaview that Isle of Wight Conservative MP, Bob Seely, attended with his girlfriend during Lockdown.
It’s currently unclear if he or any other of the people attending this party were fined.
