'I don't know who has been eating more cake': SNP accuses Boris Johnson of 'body shaming' the party's Westminster leader Ian Blackford after 'cake' jibe during furious clashes at PMQs

  • Boris Johnson and SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford clashed at PMQs today
  • Mr Blackford told PM new 'NI tax hike hangs like a guillotine while they eat cake'
  • Mr Johnson hit back and said 'I don't know… who has been eating more cake'
  • SNP seized on the comment and accused Mr Johnson of 'body shaming' the MP 

By Jack Maidment, Deputy Political Editor For Mailonline

Published: | Updated:

The SNP has accused Boris Johnson of 'body shaming' the party's Westminster leader Ian Blackford. 

The pair clashed at Prime Minister's Questions at lunchtime as Mr Blackford took aim at Mr Johnson over Partygate and the Government's planned National Insurance hike.

Mr Johnson appeared to allude to Mr Blackford's weight as he responded with a reference to eating cake, prompting a furious backlash from the SNP.   

Ian Blackford
Boris Johnson

The SNP has accused Boris Johnson of 'body shaming' the party's Westminster leader Ian Blackford

The PM has been under pressure in recent weeks over alleged parties held in and around Downing Street during lockdown, one of which was to celebrate his birthday which is believed to have involved a cake.

While urging Mr Johnson to quit, Mr Blackford said: 'The impending National Insurance tax hike hangs like a guillotine while they eat cake.'

In response, Mr Johnson said: 'I don't know… who has been eating more cake.'

Kirsten Oswald, the SNP's deputy leader at Westminster, hit out at Mr Johnson's comments.

'Boris Johnson has proven, yet again, that he is completely unfit for office,' she said.

'Whether it's his body shaming jokes, his racism, his homophobia, or his wider misconduct in public office, Mr Johnson is giving people another telling insight into his odious character.

'The Prime Minister's frequently offensive remarks will have a damaging impact on many young people and need to be called out.

'He is sending an appalling message to society, that the most powerful person in the UK Government thinks it's okay to mock people because of their bodies, race, sexual orientation and religion.' 

Eating disorder charity Beat also criticised Mr Johnson over the comment directed at Mr Blackford.

Its director of external affairs Tom Quinn said: 'It is completely unacceptable that the Prime Minister should resort to making fatphobic comments.

'It shows a clear lack of regard for, or understanding of, the 1.25 million people in the UK affected by eating disorders, and we are extremely disappointed that he has deemed this to be an appropriate response.

'We would urge the Prime Minister to educate himself on the seriousness of these mental illnesses, and limit his comments of other MPs to their actions, not their appearances.'

Boris JohnsonSNP

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