Mick Lynch, the chief of Militant Unions, was mocked last night on Have I Got News For You. Celebrities joked that it was his fault that less people came to London to witness Queen Elizabeth lying in state.
Richard Ayoade was referring to the rail strikes in the country that have left it stranded for many months. He tried to find out why 250,000 people did not show up at Westminster Hall to see Her Majesty’s coffin.
In a vague reference to RMT general secretary Mr Lynch who was sitting next to him, he stated, “On previous occasions people had travelled from all parts to London, but it is much harder to travel nowadays, it seems.”
Mister Ayoade asked Mr Lynch if anything had happened while the comedian panel was off-air after Queen Elizabeth II’s death at the age of 95. He joked that he had ‘called off some strikes’, referring to the fact these were stopped during periods of national mourning.
He appears on Have I Got News For You just one day following the RMT’s announcement that 15 train operators companies and 40,000 Network Rail employees would stage a walkout.
Mick Lynch, chief of the Militant Unions was ridiculed on Have I Got News For You yesterday night
Richard Ayoade made reference to train strikes that have ravaged the country for several months and attempted to explain why only 250,000 people turned up at Westminster Hall to view Her Majesty’s coffin. In a subtle reference to Mr Lynch (RMT general secretary), he said that “On other occasions, people have traveled to London from all areas of the country. But it’s harder to travel now.
Paul Merton (left), a regular panellist also spoke out, noting that there was an irony in the live feed. HIGNFY guest Roisin CONATY (on right), who is a comedian, also blamed the internet for making it possible to see the Queen’s stately pose from the privacy of one’s own home and other people having other things.
In the meantime, security issues were blamed for holding up.
HIGNFY host Roisin CONATY, a comedian said that ‘the internet’ was and has allowed others to view the queen in the state she is currently in from their homes.
Paul Merton, a regular panellist also intervened, saying, “A live feed ironically.”
Also, Mr Ayoade mentioned Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby attending the lying in-state and skipping the queue. This took over 25 hours.
‘This is the national scandal over the queue for the Lying-in-State. It’s the biggest thing that’s happened,’ he said. ‘ITV’s Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield apparently just appeared in Westminster Hall on Sunday.’
Ms Conaty joked: ‘Just appeared? Like a haunting?’, before Mr Ayoade added: ‘Exactly, without having spent the previous 36 hours queuing.’
Regular panellist Ian Hislop also joined when asked about the time the queue took, saying wryly: ‘It started at about 14 hours, then 15, and in the end it was [… ]Six years
He added: ’People liked the experience of queuing, they liked being there and then when they thought someone had jumped the queue they got very cross.
![Regular panellist Ian Hislop (pictured with Ms Conaty) also joined when asked about the time the queue took, saying wryly: ¿It started at about 14 hours, then 15, and in the end it was [¿ ] six years'](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/09/24/07/62747327-11244679-Regular_panellist_Ian_Hislop_pictured_with_Ms_Conaty_also_joined-a-3_1663999965958.jpg)
Regular panellist Ian Hislop (pictured with Ms Conaty) also joined when asked about the time the queue took, saying wryly: ‘It started at about 14 hours, then 15, and in the end it was [… ]Six years
The ITV This Morning hosts denied any wrongdoing, and stated that they had been there in the same way as other journalists and broadcasters to capture the historic event.
ITV has said in statement: ‘They did not jump the queue, have VIP access or file past the Queen lying in state – but instead were there in a professional capacity as part of the world’s media to report on the event.’
David Beckham, who was one of those waiting in the queue for over an hour, became the focus of much attention.
It was understood that the speed at which the device moved varied significantly depending on weather conditions and the adaptability of staff.
For his straight-talking radio and TV interviews, Lynch is known as a media star. He has protected strikes which have left the UK with crippling railways, causing widespread disruption for millions.
In the meantime, the date for the next strike action – which marks the third strike in rail transport now scheduled for October – was established on Thursday. This is part of a continuing dispute about pay, job security, and working conditions.
Aslef members representing 12 railway companies have already begun to plan rail strikes for October 1, 5 and 6, threatening new travel chaos.
Mick Lynch, general secretary of the RMT, said that today it was encouraging to see Anne-Marie Trevelyan, Transport Secretary, meet the union.
He stated that ‘We appreciate this positive approach by the government to engage us as a step towards finding a suitable settlement’.
“However as there is no other offer, the members cannot continue their strike action.
“We will continue to negotiate with good faith but employers and governments need to understand that we will continue our industrial campaign for as long or longer as necessary.”
Network Rail spokeswoman said that they had received notice of a strike by RMT on Saturday, October 8. This is just one week following another walkout coordinated with Aslef train drivers.
“This strike again will cause significant disruption to passengers and we will ask people to travel only if necessary because of the decreased service.
“Full Timetables for All upcoming Strike Days will be Published in Due Course”
Along with Network Rail, 15 other train-operating companies are participating: Chiltern Railways Cross Country Trains Greater Anglia LNER East Midlands Railway c2c Great Western Railway Hull Trains Northern Trains South Eastern South Western Railway Transpennine Express Avanti West Coast West Midlands Trains GTR (includes Gatwick Express).
Staged walkouts take place on an important weekend for sports, including Man City against Southampton, Bournemouth and Leicester City as well as Chelsea v Wolverhampton.
This strike has been yet another setback for rail passengers who had been expecting to experience more misery on the train. After drivers from 12 railway operators joined the Aslef union, they agreed to strike on October 1.
Commuters queue up at London Liverpool Street Station to board trains during the strike action of June 23
RMT union members occupied King’s Cross railway station with empty platforms on August 20, 2018.
Staged walkouts will affect travel to and from the Conservative party conference in Birmingham which is due to take place between October 2 and 5.
The strikes will affect runners who are trying to reach London in time for the London Marathon, which will take place on October 2.
RMT workers who clean Avanti West Coast train stations will strike for 24 hours Friday, in another dispute over their pay.
As a gesture of respect, a planned strike was held by motorists on September 15-17.
Lynch, general secretary of RMT Union said that rail workers’ walkouts during mourning periods were’suspended. He stated that it joined ‘the entire nation in paying its regards’.
He said, “We offer our deepest sympathy to her family and friends.”
This move follows a season of discontent when thousands of rail workers, telecom workers, and legal employees staged walkouts over disputes about pay and working conditions.
The indefinite strike was started by Criminal Barristers over the dispute regarding Legal Aid fees. Meanwhile, postal workers have also been striking with an additional 48-hour strike set for late this month.
Michelle Donelan, Culture Secretary, presented the figure to the monarch after he was laid to repose in emotional pomp and ceremony yesterday
David Beckham, pictured center), was one of those waiting in the queue for long periods.
Michelle Donelan, Culture Secretary, presented the figure of 250,000 to the monarch after a day of emotion and pomp.
According to Parliament’s website, Winston Churchill was seen by 320,000 people at his 1965 state funeral. It lasted only three days and not four and a-half. In 1952, George VI was honored by 300,000.
Sources mentioned airport-style security as one factor. However, they also claimed that the total tally was significantly higher than it has been for other events.
MailOnline received a statement from a source saying that historical estimates must be taken with caution. They said that there was a constant ratchet from previous Black Rods, who wanted each number to rise every time there has been an act of deceit.
Ms. Donelan called the Westminster Hall queue ‘phenomenal’ and paid tribute the volunteers who supported recent proceedings including the lying in-state.
Sky News was told by her that over 250,000 had seen the coffin. However, officials are still “crunching the final numbers”.
A quarter of a billion people could pay respects to Queen Elizabeth II, who was in her state. This is lower than what some estimated at 400,000.
BBC Breakfast’s Ms. Donelan said that there is no rehearsal for such a scenario. Although it has been planned for many years, we stressed the importance of everything and collaborated with local groups.
She thanked the Red Cross and Samaritans for their help, as well as the South Bank establishments that welcomed those who were queuing.
‘It was a real team effort to enable people to have that moment to say goodbye and I want to pay tribute to everybody that was involved – all the volunteers, all the marshals, the stewards, it was incredible.’
Ms. Donelan claimed that many Brits would consider the expense of Queen Elizabeth’s funeral to be’money well invested’ but couldn’t give an exact figure.
Sky News asked her about the funeral’s cost. She replied: “I am not certain of exact costs but, as I said, I think that the British public would agree that this was money that was well spent.”
“You were able to see thousands of people and it is hard to believe that anyone could suggest that her late monarch did not deserve this send-off. It was due to the sacrifices she made over the past 70 years.
It would be “downright absurd” to suggest otherwise, she said.
“It was a great feeling of community joining together. She said that she always thought of her late monarch as the glue which brought together society.