Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Ricky Gervais tears into Tories for ‘f***ing rubbing salt in the wound’ in scathing rant

‘I don’t get political, but they are all s***,’ comedian said

Jacob Stolworthy
Thursday 23 December 2021 02:40 EST
Comments
Ricky Gervais slams Tories for acting like ‘Charlie Sheen’ during pandemic

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.

Ricky Gervais has torn into the Tories for photos that seemingly show them breaking Covid rules.

The comedian, 60, criticised the Conservative party’s staff members, including Prime Minister Boris Johnson, for appearing to socialise in Downing Street’s garden during the first lockdown in May 2020.

At that time, members of different households were restricted to one-on-one meetings outdoors, with gatherings indoors strictly forbidden.

This photo, which showed Johnson enjoying wine and cheese with his wife and colleagues, was met with widespread fury, prompting a No 10 spokesperson to insist it “shows colleagues meeting in a place of work”.

It came just after it was reported select party members participated in a quiz at the Cabinet Office on 17 December 2022 – a time when people were unable to see their friends and family over the Christmas period.

Speaking on a Twitter livestream, Gervais said: “Do you know what the worst thing is? Apart from the pandemic and the devastation and the deaths and the strain on the health service and people losing their livelihoods.

“The worst thing is the f****ing c***s in charge do what they want,” he said.

He continued: “I see all these people saying all the parties they were having, and people saying, ‘That was the day I couldn’t see my mum in hospital’ or ‘I couldn’t go to my dad’s funeral.’

Ricky Gervais launched into sweary rant about Tory party on Twitter
Ricky Gervais launched into sweary rant about Tory party on Twitter (Twitter)

“Because the posh, privileged people in charge were acting like f***ing Charlie Sheen. I mean really f***ing rubbing salt in the wound. I don’t get political, but they are all s***.”

Gervais said he was doing the livestream for his followers as he’s “noticed all around there’s a lot of annoyance and frustration”, which he called “totally justified”.

“When are we going to stop taking ‘went to Eton’ as a qualification to run the country?” he said, adding: “I mean, f***ing hell.”

Gervais’ Netflix show, After Life, returns on 14 January 2022.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in