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Backlash after Spanish politicians attend awards ceremony just hours after curfew announced

“We are aware that we should be an example for the wider public and we don’t want news like [this] to emerge,” a Government spokesperson said.

AN AWARDS CEREMONY hosted by a Spanish news website, and attended by several Government ministers, has drawn criticism in Spain. 

The ceremony hosted by news website El Español was held in Madrid just hours after a State of Emergency was declared amid rising Covid-19 cases. 

The event was attended by Spain’s Health Minister Salvador Illa, Defence Minister Margarita Robles, Justice Minister Juan Carlos Campo, and Culture Minister José Manuel Rodríguez Uribes. 

It was also attended by the presidents of three regions, business representatives and sport players, Politico reports

Despite being in full compliance with “all the protocols”, Finance Minister María Jesús Montero told a press conference yesterday that the Government should be careful to ensure such situations “are not misinterpreted.”

“The event met with all the guarantees…but after seeing how the information has been reported today, it is time for an act of self-reflection by all of us who must take part in public events to limit our participation in physical events as much as possible,” she said.  

“We are aware that we should be an example for the wider public and we don’t want news like [this] to emerge,” said Montero. 

The website which hosted the ceremony posted an extensive number of photographs taken at the glitzy event, drawing criticism from people who are being asked to comply with Public Health guidance. 

El Español’s director Pedro J. Ramírez later stressed that the event was attended by 80 people, or 33% of the venue’s capacity.

Other restrictions, including social distancing and an 11pm curfew, were also adhered to, according to the organisers.

The Spanish government on Sunday declared a new national state of emergency that includes an overnight curfew aimed at avoiding a repeat of the near collapse of the country’s hospitals.

Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said the decision to restrict free movement on the streets of Spain between 11pm and 6am allows exceptions for commuting to work, buying medicine and caring for elderly and young family members.

He said that the curfew takes effect on Sunday night and will likely remain in place for six months.

Spain reported almost 20,000 new daily cases and 231 more fatalities on Friday, taking the country’s death toll in the pandemic to 34,752.

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22 Comments
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    Mute Mark Nunan
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    Oct 28th 2020, 10:26 AM

    Grande Phil in big trouble so.

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    Mute Kev
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    Oct 28th 2020, 10:48 AM

    “We dont want news like this to emerge” = We don’t want to get caught.

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    Mute Tommy Roche
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    Oct 28th 2020, 3:38 PM

    @Kev: Caught doing what ? Did you miss the part about the event being in full compliance with all the protocols ? What he meant but was too polite to say was, “even when in full compliance with the rules, it’s best not to give the curtain-twitching politician haters any ammunition because they will twist the story to suit their agenda and the gullible will start believing it even though it’s buIIshlt”

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    Mute Shane McGrath
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    Oct 28th 2020, 10:28 AM

    Juan big mistake… The was Carlos of them at it….

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    Mute Robert Clifford
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    Oct 28th 2020, 10:36 AM

    @Shane McGrath: What?

    18
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    Mute Kevin O'Brien
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    Oct 28th 2020, 10:49 AM

    @Robert Clifford: Pardon the pun!!

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    Mute The Bogger
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    Oct 28th 2020, 11:44 AM

    @Robert Clifford: Qué??

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    Mute Lee Galiezitte
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    Oct 28th 2020, 2:05 PM

    @Shane McGrath: Diago Away

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    Mute Kevin O'Brien
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    Oct 28th 2020, 10:53 AM

    It’s comforting to know that it’s not just our politicians who are mórons (the fada is for toxicity reasons) Top tip btw.

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    Mute Earth Traveller
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    Oct 28th 2020, 11:21 AM

    @Kevin O’Brien: I don’t think there is anything toxic about the word ‘mоrоn’. You could call them much worse!

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    Mute Kevin O'Brien
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    Oct 28th 2020, 11:27 AM

    @Earth Traveller: It came up as 8.3 for me & bright red. Scary stuff haha. But yes, I could call them much worse.

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    Mute Peter Cronin-Rahill
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    Oct 28th 2020, 10:33 AM

    RE separation of powers – it is up the Oireachtas, by joint resolution in both Houses, to remove a judge (or president for that matter!) From office, if they are found to have brought the Judiciary into disrepute, or for stated misbehaviour. So for any Government TD to wash their hands of Judge Seamus Woulfe is incorrect and rather embarrassing!

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    Mute Thomas Quinn
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    Oct 28th 2020, 10:34 AM

    Did they not learn from our Golf Gate lol

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    Mute Peter Coen
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    Oct 28th 2020, 11:03 AM

    Do as I say, not what I do.

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    Mute Kevin O'Brien
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    Oct 28th 2020, 11:07 AM

    @Peter Coen: Not as i do.

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    Mute Peter Coen
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    Oct 28th 2020, 11:11 AM

    @Kevin O’Brien: thank you.

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    Mute Galwaygogo
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    Oct 28th 2020, 10:43 AM

    #Awardgate

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    Mute Shem
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    Oct 28th 2020, 11:46 AM

    Equivalent of our Golfgate.

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    Mute Keith Stubbs
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    Oct 28th 2020, 11:46 AM

    puerta de golf

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    Mute Eoin McCarthy
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    Oct 28th 2020, 11:55 AM

    Puerta de Golf

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    Mute Michael Kavanagh
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    Oct 28th 2020, 2:15 PM

    @Eoin McCarthy:
    Oh, I’m sure their ministerial cars are bigger than that!

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    Mute Margaret Kane
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    Oct 28th 2020, 6:06 PM

    All government ministers think they are about the ordinary citizens do as I say not what I do

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