Call for Welsh Tory leader to disown Johnson following reported ‘bodies pile high’ remark

Labour have called on the Welsh Tory leader to disown Boris Johnson over his “unforgivable” remark.

It has been alleged that the UK Prime Minister, said he’d rather let “the bodies pile high” than order a third lockdown, and Welsh Conservative Andrew RT Davies has been told to distance himself from the comments.

The remarks, which Johnson denied making on a Senedd election campaign trip to Wrexham, were originally reported in the Daily Mail, and have since been backed up by other sources to other media organisations, such as ITV and the BBC.

It is claimed that he made the remarks after reluctantly imposing a second lockdown on England at a crucial meeting back in October.

He is alleged to have said: “No more ****ing lockdowns – let the bodies pile high in their thousands!”

This reportedly came after Michael Gove warned Johnson that soldiers would be needed to guard hospitals that we’re overrun with Covid-19 victims.

Vaughan Gething, who has been responsible for the day to day handling of the NHS in the pandemic as the Welsh Government’s Health Minister, slammed Boris Johnson’s comments, arguing they “cause considerable distress to grieving families”.

Welsh Labour’s Deputy Leader Carolyn Harris called on Andrew RT Davies and every Tory candidate for the Senedd to disown the remarks.

‘Hang his head in shame’ 

Vaughan Gething said: “127,434 people across the UK have now died because of Covid. 127,434 families will forever have a loved one missing from their home. Boris Johnson should hang his head in shame.

“The Prime Minister’s unforgivable comments will cause considerable distress to grieving families and will only be exacerbated if the Tories in Wales do what they’ve always done – follow their London leader.

“It beggars belief that the Tories can welcome him to Wales with open arms and then look voters in the eye and ask for their votes.”

Welsh Labour’s Deputy Leader Carolyn Harris added: “The widely reported comments attributed to the Prime Minister are nothing short of disgraceful.

“The Welsh Labour Government has taken a careful, cautious approach to the pandemic in order to save lives and it is frankly unbelievable that anyone – let alone a British Prime Minister – could be so callous and uncaring.

“It’s even more disturbing that the Prime Minister could visit north Wales after his comments were exposed and not take time to offer even the faintest of apologies.

“The Tory Senedd group leader must now immediately condemn the Prime Minister’s comments.

“Indeed, every Tory candidate seeking votes should make it clear that Boris Johnson’s views are not welcome here in Wales.”

The Welsh Conservatives have been approached for comment.