A Leave campaign press release has floored the internet today, with it featuring jibes made in the direction of NASA, the Electoral Commission and, er, Victoria Beckham by the campaign’s co-chairman Arron Banks.
The press release, which begins “hurt feelings all round following historic victory for the Leave campaign,” continues: “Following the conclusion of a successful referendum campaign, Leave.EU has upset quite a few people. So far, we have managed to clock eight pending cases.”
The press release then goes on to describe how Arron Banks, who donated £6.5 million to the campaign, wanted to “extend his heartfelt apologies” to these individuals and organisations. The statement featured the following in a bullet-pointed list:
Nasa – “We quoted the astronaut concerned perfectly accurately, but will apologise if you feel it was “out of context”. NASA versus Leave.EU would have been quite exciting in court, though…
Superdrug – “We quoted your founder accurately, but did use your logo without permission. Sorry about that!
Gary Lineker and Victoria Beckham – “Bring it on, luvvies.”
The Electoral Commission, aka the legal division of the IN campaign – “Bite me.”
The Information Commissioner’s Office – “Whatever.”
The press release was roundly criticised on Twitter, with users pointing out how it perhaps wasn’t the time for gloating on Banks’ behalf considering that the value of the pound had plummeted and the nation’s future is in mounting disarray:
Email press release from Leave.EU. Today the pound collapsed to its lowest level since 1985. https://t.co/KEDsMeqbD6
— Huw Lemmey (@huwlemmey) June 27, 2016
This is an astonishingly awful press release from @Arron_banks Leave camaign. No sense of magnanimity in victory. pic.twitter.com/nb50qBR35I
— (((Emma Burnell))) (@EmmaBurnell_) June 27, 2016
Genuine press release from Leave.EU – unofficial leave campaign – which berates @GaryLineker among others. #Brexit pic.twitter.com/IcQL5E0haP
— Benjamin Wright (@benwrightjourno) June 27, 2016
Arron Banks has also been pretty prolific on Twitter himself following Leave’s victory, responding to a Sky News journalist’s comments regarding racism following Brexit with a particularly questionable retort:
Sky News man says he’s witnessed racist incidents. Leave.EU donor’s response: pic.twitter.com/sFTQTByQhg
— Michael Deacon (@MichaelPDeacon) June 26, 2016
Though the EU Referendum concluded with Leave winning with 52% of the votes, the high level of tension in the UK right now doesn’t show any signs of subsiding.
