ON TWITTER
#MARYBEARD
Britain’s best-known classicist has been blocked by Downing Street as a British Museum trustee “for pro-europe views”, it has been claimed. A trustee place is now to be offered regardless.
@doctor_oxford raged:
“No one has done more than acclaimed scholar Mary Beard to bring classics alive for the population at large. For No 10 to block her appointment as a British Museum trustee – solely for having Remainer views – is a disgusting form of political censorship.”
kate_degerdon agreed: “Once again, UK govt punishing anyone who fails to agree them and tow the line. This is an absolute scandal... will any Remainer now expect to be punished by the government?”
@jonworth commented: “It looks like this was decided when May was still PM. But it underlines that the government itself has no intention of healing the pro/ anti rift. Beard is clearly qualified for this – what she thinks of the EU shouldn’t matter.”
@Evendenkenyon contributed: “Says all you need to know about this government.”
@annettedittert concluded:
“So this government hires far right-wing blogger, eugenicists and other ‘weirdos‘, but blocks a renowned and prestigious historian for her political views. I honestly can’t believe it.”
#LEAPYEAR
2020 is a leap year with an additional day added to keep the calendar in sync. People born on 29 February were owning the day at the weekend by celebrating their birthdays, which come just every four years.
@c0rporateslave celebrated: “Happy birthday, Leap Year babies!”
@fat_sket agreed: “It’s my first birthday in four years, so say Happy Birthday to me or i’ll k*ll u with my bare hands.”
@katiehortonimo noted: “My great-grandmother turns 96 (so she’s technically 24 because of Leap Year) but she literally might pass on her birthday. Life is strange.”
@WSJLIFE tweeted: “It’s not our fault we were born on the 29th, dang it. Leap Year babies are fighting back.” Mathematically-inclined @ gohbelfast revealed: “Four million people in the world are Leap Day babies. There is a one in 1,461 chance of being a Leap Day baby. Every year divisible by 4 is a Leap Year. But every year divisible by 100 is not a Leap Year.”