Piers Morgan sparks controversy with comments comparing Covid to fighting Nazis during World War II
Former ‘GMB’ presenter was one of many to criticise Boris Johnson’s decision to further ease lockdown restrictions this month
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Piers Morgan has prompted a backlash with comments that compared the Covid pandemic to fighting Nazis during World War II.
The former Good Morning Britain presenter was one of many figures to criticise Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s decision to ease Covid regulations later this month.
According to professor Neil Ferguson, a member of the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage), which advises the government, cases could conceivably hit 150,000-200,000 a day after measures are relaxed.
Posting on Twitter, Morgan asked: “Can you imagine Twitter half way through WW2?”
Then, imagining what people who want lockdown to lift now might have been saying then, he wrote: “‘I’m f***ing done with Hitler and the Nazis impinging on my liberty, so let’s stop f***ing fighting them right now and pretend they’re not there any more. I want my f***ing freedom back.’”
Reaction to Morgan’s tweet was mixed, with some people agreeing that it highlighted the weakness of the government’s current Covid strategy.
Others, however, took issue with the comparison, with some deeming it “a very odd metaphor”, and “an insult”.
“Ffs, to even think about comparing the two events let alone tweet it,” wrote one Twitter user.
“Comparing WW2 with covid.. I’m sure those who dies & survived the Holocaust would appreciate that,” wrote another.
“’Alexa, show me a terrible analogy,’” joked someone else.
You can keep up to date with the latest Covid news developments here.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments