Emily Maitlis 'echoes feelings of millions' in latest Newsnight monologue

Emily Maitlis has been praised for ‘echoing the feelings of millions’ with a powerful opening Newsnight speech on the Dominic Cummings scandal.

The journalist welcomed viewers to last night’s show by stating the PM’s top adviser had ‘made those who struggled to keep to the rules feel like fools, and allowed many more to assume they can now flout them’.

In the 53-second monologue, she said the political strategist was known for always getting the public mood, so should recognise he had provoked one of ‘fury, contempt, and anguish’.

It comes as a man who says he saw Mr Cummings and his family walking by the River Tees on Easter Sunday is interviewed by police.

Ms Maitlis said: ‘Dominic Cummings broke the rules, the country can see that, and it’s shocked the government cannot.

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‘The longer ministers and prime minister tell us he worked within them, the more angry the response to this scandal is likely to be.

‘He was the man, remember, who always got the public mood, he tagged the lazy label of “elite” on those who disagreed.

‘He should understand that public mood now. One of fury, contempt, and anguish.

‘He made those who struggled to keep to the rules feel like fools, and has allowed many more to assume they can now flout them.

‘The prime minister knows all this, but despite the resignation of one minister, growing unease from his backbenchers, a dramatic early warning from the polls, and a deep national disquiet, Boris Johnson has chosen to ignore it.

‘Tonight, we consider what this blind loyalty tells us about the workings of Number 10. We do not expect to be joined by a government minister, but that won’t stop us asking the question.’

Ms Maitlis’ opening remarks began trending on Twitter after they were broadcast, and were commended by hundreds who claimed she had ‘perfectly summed up public feeling’ towards the fallout.

One wrote: ‘Emily Maitlis has a penetrating way with words. And the guts to use those words in the service of the public.’

Another put: ‘Emily Maitlis encapsulates the extraordinary arrogance of #Cummgate in under a minute.’

However, others more sympathetic towards Mr Cummings insisted she did not speak for them.

One person called out the newreader for ‘absolutely disgraceful comments’, while another said it was a ‘witchhunt’.

Meanwhile, many Twitter users were left questioning the BBC’s commitment to impartiality.

One wrote: ‘If he did indeed break the rules, then that is a matter for the police who will decide and until they do, it’s not for Emily Maitlis to impose her judgment on the public. Impartial my a**.’

Another called for Ofcom to step in, saying: ‘Emily Maitlis opens ‘Newsnight’ with a monologue of her opinions.’

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