Political Opportunity.

[Sqad]

https://news.sky.com/story/london-bridge-attack-victim-jack-merritts-father-accuses-boris-johnson-of-trying-to-score-election-points-11882986

John Merritt's father accuses Boris Johnson of political opportunism concerning the death of his son, then does an interview with Beth Rigby 2 days before voting day......THAT is political opportunism, in my opinion.

One cannot imagine the pain and the anguish that his father and family were exposed to and the torture and torment of the death of his son who was an advocate and believer of rehabilitation.
He is entitled to his opinion which has great support but not everyone agrees with him and would certainly support longer sentences.
People die tragically every day, mothers, fathers, children but life for others goes on and we are in the middle of an election and it is understandable that political points, meant or incidental may be registered.

My point being that Mr Merritt is just as culpable of making a political point as is Boris Johnson

[stevenj]

Well of course it's a political point. Johnson had used his son's death for a political point. That's disgraceful! The father had a perfect right to respond.

[emmie]

They have their opinions, personally i don't agree with Jack's father at all. And have said so on various threads...

[gulliver1]

Boris saw only a Political opportunity here,to score points in the G/E . No Tragedy or Sorrow . The Father of John Merritt has received no contact from Johnson . All Boris wanted, was to blame the Labour party for early release of prisoners a Legislation brought out in 2008 , The Cons have had 10 years to change this law .This Is Boris scoring a political point, at the expense of a bereaved Family." Shame on you Boris".

[emmie]

shame on you for making such accusations, he did
speak about the matter when it happened and visited the site to see what could if anything be done.

[ToraToraTora]

yes I agree sqad, he's using it, same as that mother staging the kid on the floor panto yesterday. The VBQC and TROB are getting desperate to stop the Tory majority.

[DTCwordfan]

well, I am sure that gulliver's middle name is Vladimir.

[naomi24]

The murderer was released early from prison on the Conservative’s watch - hardly something to crow about - so it’s nonsense to claim that Mr Johnson is point scoring.

This tragedy has genuinely highlighted the folly of giving the benefit of the doubt to dangerous convicts and in the wake of this atrocity Boris was quite right to say that prison sentences must be longer. It’s no more than anyone with any sense would say. I agree with you sqad. This man's death is being used to political ends - but not by Mr Johnson.

[gulliver1]

18.19, I Do agree with Jack's Father . Would you have agreed with Boris if it had been a son of yours ?.

[naomi24]

I would agree with Boris, Gulliver. Prison sentences do need to be longer - or don't you agree?

[pixie374]

Boris has made a good point. Of course the parents are devastated, but nobody really expects a personal message from the PM. They seem to be both on the same side... but the father is understandably grieving too much and too angry to realise.

[emmie]

Jacks father believes that there is a case to be made that these prisoners, terrorists, murderers etc can be
rehabilitated, i just don't agree. If that was my son i would want the killer get life without parole so they can't do it to anyone else. If we had the death penalty then they wouldn't do it again, right now i would vote for the return of capital punishment. It won't come back however, so life no parole seems the only sensible option.

[Spicerack]

Mr Merritt is lashing so he doesn't have to dwell on his own guilt.

[Old_Geezer]

One appreciates Mr Merritt is under stress, but that doesn't mean he's right. Of course politicians are going to take an interest in national tragedies since they are responsible for creating the laws to avoid them. It's unreasonable to expect silence, and if the PM has been silent he'd be criticised for that. No one wants knee jerk reactions but it's long been discussed how ridiculous it is that criminals get out early, and especially with regards to terrorism. Hardly "knee jerk". The claim is thus without foundation and it's really sad that Mr Merritt feels a desperate need to reduce his sorrow at his son's murder by criticising those trying to help. Understandable though.

[gulliver1]

DTC 18.26, I am sure I know what your middle name is also DTC . I can see it begins with " T "

[ToraToraTora]

it's really very simple, if you do not want it politicised do not politicise it yourself then moan when it becomes fair game.

[ummmm]

Jack's father said that he doesn't want his sons death to be used for longer sentences, that's not Jack would want.

If it was my son I'd still be at home crying!!

[emmie]

so would I, but it would be angry tears.

[naomi24]

Me too, ummmm.

[ummmm]

I don't think they would be angry tears. That hits later. I know people go into shock and act on autopilot but to get involved in any politics at a time like this is quite distasteful.

Jack job alone suggested he was left leaning. His father doesn't need to confirm it.

And YES...Boris did say the right thing. It's not just Jack who has died.