A Labour mayor has been expelled from the party after she said that Boris Johnson 'completely deserves' his intensive care battle ...
A Labour mayor has been expelled from the party after she said that Boris Johnson 'completely deserves' his intensive care battle with coronavirus.
Councillor Sheila Oakes, who is currently mayor of Heanor in Derbyshire, made the crass comments on social media.
She said: 'Sorry he completely deserves this and he is one of the worst PM's we've ever had.'
Miss Oakes later apologised 'unreservedly', but the Labour Party has now withdrawn the whip from her, effectively kicking her out.
Mr Johnson was transferred to an ICU at St Thomas' Hospital in Westminster on Monday night as his symptoms worsened. He had been admitted to hospital on Sunday.
Mayor Sheila Oakes (pictured) said Boris Johnson 'completely deserves' his battle against coronavirus in intensive care
Boris Johnson (pictured as his health worsened on April 3) has spent the night in intensive care but there has been 'no change' in his coronavirus condition
Miss Oakes will keep her seat until the next election, but she is now an independent politician.
A spokesperson for the Amber Valley Labour Group said: 'Following comments from Cllr Oakes on social media, which we utterly condemn, the Amber Valley Labour group withdrew the whip this morning, and can now announce this now the whip has spoken to Cllr Oakes.
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'This means that Cllr Oakes does not currently sit as a Labour councillor and further due process will follow.
'We wish the Prime Minister, and all who are suffering with this awful disease, a speedy recovery and send love and solidarity to them and their families.
'It would be inappropriate to comment further until due process has taken its course.'
Councillor Kevin Buttery, Conservative group leader on Amber Valley Borough Council, said: 'This is an extremely worrying time for Boris Johnson, his family, friends and in fact the nation.
'To say I find the comments of councillor Sheila Oakes distasteful and abhorrent is an understatement.
'As the local mayor, she should be acting in a non-political way as she represents the town, this is clearly not the case in these circumstances.'
Miss Oakes is just one among many Left-wing trolls who have targeted the Prime Minister with abuse on social media.
Others quoted the rapper Stormzy's 'f*** Boris' lyric and some even welcomed the idea of him dying.
Twitter user @bibagirl wrote: 'Poor Boris? No. Poor NHS. F*** that scruffy man.'
Another, using the handle @Corby2209, said: 'Stormzy said f*** Boris and Corona did the rest.' Miguel Suarez tweeted: 'Boris Johnson in the ICU f*** yeah.'
The 55-year-old was transferred to intensive care at 7pm because of breathing difficulties - forcing him to 'deputise' Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab to take the reins of government.
Piers Morgan has slammed Twitter users celebrating the fact that Boris Johnson is in intensive care as he battles coronavirus.
On today's Good Morning Britain, host Piers Morgan told them to 'just shut up' in a furious tirade.
He said: 'To those people on social media who can't find it in themselves to be positive for the Prime Minister right now, who want to abuse him – if you're of that mindset, just shut up.
Piers Morgan, pictured on today's Good Morning Britain, slammed those who are celebrating the Prime Minister's condition
'Nobody wants to hear this. Nobody wants to hear trolling against Boris Johnson. Just stop it. Honestly, it's beyond imagination that that should be your thought process. The man's fighting for his life.'
It came after he waded into the row on Twitter last night, saying: 'If you have nothing positive to say about Boris Johnson on here tonight, then shut the f*** up. The man is our Prime Minister & he is fighting for his life.'
In a round of broadcast interviews this morning, Cabinet Office Michael Gove said Mr Johnson was getting the 'best care'.
'As we speak the PM is in intensive care being looked after by his medical team receiving the very, very best care from the team in St Thomas's and our hopes and prayers are with him and with his family,' he told BBC Breakfast.
He said Mr Johnson's plight should demonstrate the need to follow social distancing rules, as the virus 'has a malevolence that is truly frightening'.
Newly appointed Labour Party leader Keir Starmer wished the PM well last night, tweeting: 'Terribly sad news. All the country's thoughts are with the Prime Minister and his family during this incredibly difficult time.'
And Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said last night that he was praying for Mr Johnson's swift recovery.
Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage tweeted: 'I hope and pray for @BorisJohnson to come through this ordeal quickly.'
Worried Britons have shown their support for the PM on Twitter using the hashtag #PrayForBoris, with some suggesting that people turn out to clap for the Tory leader at 8pm in a show of support similar the those for NHS workers in recent days.
Twitter user Dillon Hughes-Moretti wrote: 'Hang in there Boris. Your friends, family, colleagues and your country desperately needs you.'
Tom Edwards said: 'Mr Johnson, now - more than ever in your lifetime - your country needs you. Come on, old boy. You've got this.'
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