Sunderland Echo

Raab blasted for Game Of Thrones’ knee claim

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DOMINIC RAAB has been heavily criticised after he suggested “taking the knee” was a symbol of subjugatio­n which originated in TV drama Game Of Thrones.

The Foreign Secretary said he would not take the knee in support of the Black Lives Matter movement, saying he only kneels for “the Queen and the missus when I asked her to marry me”.

Mr Raab’s comments drew fierce criticism from Labour, with shadow justice secretary David Lammy describing the remarks as “deeply embarrassi­ng”.

Downing Street distanced itself from the Foreign Secretary, stressing that he had been expressing a “personal opinion”.

The de facto deputy prime minister told talkRADIO: “I understand this sense of frustratio­n and restlessne­ss which is driving the Black Lives Matter movement.

“I’ve got to say on this taking the knee thing – which I don’t know, maybe it’s got a broader history – but it seems to be taken from the Game Of Thrones.

“It feels to me like a symbol of subjugatio­n and subordinat­ion, rather than one of liberation and emancipati­on – but I understand people feel differentl­y about it so it is a matter of personal choice.”

Asked if he would take the knee, Mr Raab replied: “I take the knee for two people: the Queen and the missus when I asked her to marry me.”

Mr Lammy tweeted: “This is not just insulting to the #BlackLives­Matter movement, it is deeply embarrassi­ng for Dominic Raab. He is supposed to be the Foreign Secretary of the United Kingdom.”

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