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13 June 2012updated 07 Jun 2021 5:37pm

Pup puff: The BBC slavishly reports on No 10’s new dog

By Media Mole

The government is currently threatening its MPs with deselection if they dare to rebel and has decided to suspend Parliament to avoid legislative scrutiny. It’s even hinting that it won’t adhere to a law to block no-deal even if it’s passed. The constitution is being contorted beyond all recognition, and MPs are being frozen out of the proper political process.

But never mind all that – Boris Johnson’s got a new dog!

That seems to be the BBC’s perspective this morning anyway, in a saccharine tweet complete with paw emoji advertising the Prime Minister’s new addition with some spectacularly slavish footage:

Not only is the BBC buying into Johnson’s chummy image of himself by promoting this story – it also appears to have missed the more pressing political dog story of the moment.

The annual charity Westminster Dog of the Year event, where MPs bring their dogs to College Green to compete in various fun challenges to raise money for the Kennel Club and Dogs Trust, has been cancelled this year due to safety concerns over protests outside Parliament.

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“Ensuring the safety of the dogs and the MPs taking part is absolute priority,” said a spokesperson.

Might this be a slightly more relevant dog-themed Westminster story, considering No 10 appear to be gearing up for an election pitting the government against MPs, when they are already on the receiving end of intense intimidation?

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