Is this the most self-centred press conference EVER? Minor minister bigs-up his role in beating coronavirus as he hails himself and his department 16 times in five minutes – while viewers slam him for being ‘smug’ and ‘arrogant’
- Housing Minister Robert Jenrick appeared at today’s Downing Street briefing
- The Minister praised his own department’s role in the battle against coronavirus
- He claimed that it had a ‘vital role in bringing people together to tackle the virus’
- Angry viewers slammed Jenrick and accused him of being self-congratulatory
- Here’s how to help people impacted by Covid-19
Viewers have accused government minister Robert Jenrick of being smug and arrogant after a self-congratulatory appearance at today’s Downing Street coronavirus briefing.
Mr Jenrick, 38, is the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government and gave today’s government update on the battle against the pandemic.
However, viewers took to social media to accuse him of bigging up the role of his own department during the outbreak, complimenting his own work and his department’s 16 times in five minutes.
Near the start of the conference, the minister hailed his department and said it had played a ‘vital role in bringing people together to tackle the virus’.
He said: ‘At the start of March I established a taskforce to support local resilience forums, standing them up at a local level across the country to prepare each and every community for a range of different scenarios
Housing, Communities and Local Government Secretary Robert Jenrick speaking during Wednesday’s Downing Street press conference
‘Recognising the unprecedented challenge we face, I took the decision to embed some of the finest military planners in the world from our armed forces.
‘This combined expertise and leadership is ensuring a consistent co-ordinated response across the country.’
He added: ”The Prime Minister will set out on Sunday our approach to the second phase of this pandemic and as we look ahead to supporting businesses as they are able to reopen, my department will lead our work on how our local economies can adapt, evolve, recover and grow.
‘I will continue to support mayors and local government leaders who will play a critical role in this work.’
Addressing VE day celebrations, he said: ‘My department, like others, had been helping to plan some of the public celebrations but we know that sadly we will now need to mark this important occasion from home instead.’
Reacting to his comments, one Twitter user said: ‘One word describes Robert Jenrick and his delivery of the coronavirus briefing today. Smug.’
While another added: ‘Jenrick in smug and triumphant tones telling us how well he thinks he’s done and how important he is. Appalling delivery and content.
‘Hancock needs to have a word with him about tone.’
A third commented: ‘Self-satisfied, or what? Get on with it, Mr Jenrick – this is NOT a time for self-congratulation. And please don’t come back.’
Mr Jenrick told the evening Number 10 press conference that the number of coronavirus deaths had increased by 649 on yesterday with the total now at 30,076.