Tories caught doctoring video footage in flat-out lie to the electorate
This is intolerable. Never mind it being irresponsible for a political party to mislead the public – it would be utterly irresponsible for anybody to give such an organisation their vote.
The Conservatives took video footage of an interview between Labour’s Keir Starmer and the Good Morning Britain team – about Brexit – and edited it to make it seem that he hesitated over a question.
The intention is clear: to lie to the electorate about Labour’s policy on Brexit, and to lie about the abilities of Labour’s leading members.
Fortunately, Full Fact was on the case:
Earlier today the Conservatives posted an edited video of Keir Starmer's GMB interview. Editing the clip in this way has created a false narrative. It is irresponsible for a political party to mislead the public like this. https://t.co/fKSReBM4aO https://t.co/yqEgQFOrN4
— Full Fact (@FullFact) November 5, 2019
The Full Fact article states:
“The Conservative Party today shared footage of Labour MP and shadow Brexit minister Keir Starmer on Good Morning Britain, which had been edited by the Conservative party to make him seem unable to answer a question posed about Brexit. The clip has been retweeted hundreds of times at the time of writing.
“In the video shared by the party’s Twitter account, Mr Starmer appears to be unable to respond at the end of the clip when asked by Piers Morgan “Why would the EU give you a good deal if they know that you’re going to actively campaign against it?
“However, this is not what actually happened in the interview. When asked the question by Mr Morgan, Mr Starmer replied immediately.
“The footage seemingly showing Mr Starmer apparently being unable to answer the question seems to be taken from earlier in the interview, when he is actually listening to a question.
“By editing the clip in this way, the Conservatives have created a false narrative. It is irresponsible for a political party to mislead the public like this. We’ve previously fact checked the Conservative party when it ran a Facebook ad with a misleadingly edited headline and will keep fact checking all political parties throughout the election.
“Everyone deserves clear and accurate information from campaigns so they can make their own minds up about who to vote for.
“The Conservative party press office subsequently replied to criticism about the video by saying “this car crash interview did really take place”, and sharing a clip of it from the Good Morning Britain Twitter account. However, this clip cuts before Mr Morgan finishes asking the full question so Mr Starmer’s response can’t be seen.”
So, even after being shown up as liars, the Tories still doctored their clip.
This episode has even led Piers Morgan to stand up for the Labour Party – criticising the Tories openly on Twitter:
Whatever your politics or your views, already in this election –
I hear Corbyn discussing policies, vision and positive ideas for change.I hear and see Tories lie, smear and edit videos like a North Korean style propaganda outlet.
Do they actually have anything to offer?
— PaulShilly 🌹🌹 (@shillcock_paul) November 5, 2019
And Paul Shilly’s comment is the most revealing of all.
While Labour offers new ideas, new policies and a vision for the nation, the Conservatives have nothing but self-serving lies.
Have YOU donated to my crowdfunding appeal, raising funds to fight false libel claims by TV celebrities who should know better? These court cases cost a lot of money so every penny will help ensure that wealth doesn’t beat justice.
Vox Political needs your help!
If you want to support this site
(but don’t want to give your money to advertisers)
you can make a one-off donation here:
Here are four ways to be sure you’re among the first to know what’s going on.
1) Register with us by clicking on ‘Subscribe’ (in the left margin). You can then receive notifications of every new article that is posted here.
2) Follow VP on Twitter @VoxPolitical
3) Like the Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/VoxPolitical/
Join the Vox Political Facebook page.
4) You could even make Vox Political your homepage at http://voxpoliticalonline.com
And do share with your family and friends – so they don’t miss out!
If you have appreciated this article, don’t forget to share it using the buttons at the bottom of this page. Politics is about everybody – so let’s try to get everybody involved!
Buy Vox Political books so we can continue
fighting for the facts.
The Livingstone Presumption is now available
in either print or eBook format here:
Health Warning: Government! is now available
in either print or eBook format here:
The first collection, Strong Words and Hard Times,
is still available in either print or eBook format here:
Lying and deception is at the core of Tory DNA, especially now that they’ve gone so Right-Wing.
They had to pull their (Tax Payer Paid for) Universal Credit ads as they were deemed to be misleading by the ASA – https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-50304322
Not a good look around election time !