Resource KT
Related Articles
A Church of England a cleric apologized after describing the national applause for Captain Tom Moore as emblematic of a “cult of white British nationalism”.
In a since-deleted tweet, Reverend Jarel Robinson-Brown wrote: “The cult of Captain Tom Moore is a cult of white British nationalism. I will offer prayers for the rest of his good and generous soul, but I will not participate in the “national clap”.
The cleric, who is preparing to serve as a priest in the Diocese of London, retired from his post later the same day and offered an “unreserved apology for the insensitive timing and content” of his tweet, adding that he has now read and will sign the Church’s digital charter.
The Reverend Robinson-Brown’s tweet came after Boris Johnson urged people to take part in a ‘national clap’ for Captain Moore, who died in hospital on Tuesday aged 100 after testing positive for Covid -19.
The Reverend was not alone in criticizing the idea of a ‘national clap’ for the centenary, with palliative care doctor Dr Rachel Clarke, Tweeter that while Capt Moore was “inspiring…clapping isn’t fair to [her] in the midst of the immensity of our death and our grief. Applause won’t protect others either.”
The PM’s call to remembrance echoed the ‘Clap for Our Carers’ movement, which has been criticized by those who have argued the weekly round of applause at the door was a hollow gesture. Campaigners and unions have suggested a pay rise for key workers would be a more fitting tribute.
The clap was revived during the third lockdown in January and faced similar criticism from Labour, with party leader Keir Starmer Tweeter“Once again we’ve walked through our doorstep to #ClapForOurCarers. But clapping isn’t enough. They need to be paid properly and given the respect they deserve.”
MP Angela Rayner echoed the leader’s sentiments, writing: “Applause = good, pay rise = better.”
Captain Moore became a household name during the first lockdown, when he raised more than £30million for the NHS by walking laps of his garden.
The Prime Minister said the Second World War veteran had dedicated his life to others, telling the House of Commons on Wednesday: ‘We all now have the opportunity to show him our appreciation and all he stood for and by what he believed.”
Captain Moore was hospitalized on Sunday after being treated for pneumonia and testing positive for coronavirus last week. His family praise the care he had received from the NHS.
