HM Treasury slammed for 'insensitive’ tweet urging Brits to ‘grab a drink and raise a glass’ when pubs reopen

'This must be the most tone-deaf tweet in history'
Twitter users were not impressed by the Government's calls to 'grab a drink'
HM Treasury

HM Treasury’s attempt to build excitement ahead of this weekend’s major lockdown relaxation has been met with outrage on social media.

The economic ministry tweeted out a colourful reminder – complete with laughter and glass-clinking sound effects – about the reopening of pubs on what is being dubbed “Super Saturday”.

It posted on Wednesday afternoon: “Grab a drink and raise a glass, Pubs are reopening their doors from 4 July. #OpenForBusiness.”

Prime Minister Boris Johnson previously joked it was Britons' "patriotic duty" to return to pubs when they reopen.

But Twitter users were not impressed by the jovial message, suggesting it was insensitive given the loss of lives and livelihoods across the UK.

Piers Morgan was among the scores of social media users to hit out at the “disrespectful” post.

The Good Morning Britain host commented: “This must be the most tone-deaf tweet in history.

“65k people dead, the economy catering, millions facing unemployment.. and the Treasury wants us all to go out on the p*** & celebrate.”

Another user tweeted: “Raise a glass with what? There’s thousands (like me) who haven’t been entitled to any support during this disaster.

“A few gifs and slogans isn’t going to rectify the cataclysmic recession headed our way.”

Another commented: “Please though be more responsible @hmtreasury and get over the message that whilst pubs will open its far from business as usual.

“Be fair to the people working & running them who know it won’t be the same. We need people to access them responsibly not just raise a glass.”

And another gobsmacked user wrote simply: “Please tell me someone hacked the HM Treasury Twitter account… Seriously???”

The Treasury’s message came as police, alcohol campaigners and doctors expressed concerns about pubs reopening on Saturday.

It is feared there could be a repeat of booze-fuelled disorder, following scenes of violence in recent weeks at illegal raves and on the nation’s beaches.

Experts have warned that hospital A&E departments will not be able to deal with a flood of alcohol-related injuries.

Campaigner Maxine Thompson-Curl set up a charity after her son Kristian, 19, was killed in a one-punch attack on a night out.

She said: “We are concerned about the reopening of pubs at the weekend.

“We are concerned about the effects of alcohol and the consequences of drinking too much, as always, but also we are deeply anxious about the effects on our already struggling NHS, which every one of us have helped for three months by keeping ourselves safe.

“My question is why spoil that? We’d urge people to be sensible, think smart and keep safe.”

A Treasury source said: “We got it wrong on this and the tweet was quickly removed.”

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