David Cameron was left red-faced, after allegations arose that during his university years he put a “private part of his anatomy” into a deceased pig’s mouth during his initiation for a society at the University of Oxford.
The reports surfaced from an unauthorised biography entitled ‘Call Me Dave’, penned by Conservative peer Lord Michael Ashcroft and political journalist Isabel Oakeshott.
Whilst this bizarre ritual immediately grabbed the headlines, there were far more interesting revelations to arise from Ashcroft’s book, including the accusation that the Prime Minister was fully aware of the Tory donor’s status as a non-domicile: whereby he avoided having to pay tax on overseas earnings in the UK.
In his book Ashcroft declared that he and Cameron had discussed how they would delay revealing his tax arrangements to the public until after the 2010 general election, presumably to avoid outrage.
The embarrassment of this incident left many Conservatives to perceive Ashcroft as tainted, despite his donations of over £5m towards the Tories between 2002 and 2011.
However, Ashcroft’s agenda (widely believed to be an attempt to buy his way onto the front benches) was thwarted post-2010 election after Cameron failed to honour the promise of a “significant job” should the Conservative win. As is apparent from his account, the job Ashcroft says he was offered was viewed as insufficient and pitiful.
Unsatisfied with his seat in the House of Lords, there are claims that ‘Call me Dave’ is merely a cry of bitterness from the Tory peer.
Needless to say, Downing Street declined to comment on the allegations surrounding the “PigGate” allegations, and his presence in drug-fuelled environments while at university.
Surprisingly, one could argue that these Oxford antics are not the worst of what the PM has done during his stint in power. The steep incline of child poverty and the introduction of the infamous bedroom tax have meant that life for the British public is becoming harder under a Conservative government, and increasingly so, not to mention the distinct lack of action regarding the intake of refugees.
So, perhaps Ashcroft’s claims come as a welcome to some, karma of sorts. If you roll around in the mud too long, you may not resurface.
Featured photo via The Prime Minister’s Office on Flickr.
