
Jack Merritt’s dad calls out Boris Johnson for using his son’s death for political gain
He said: ‘Jack stood against everything you stand for’
Jack Merritt was one of the two people killed in the London Bridge terrorist attack on Friday. The 25-year-old was a Cambridge graduate and Course Coordinator for the University's Learning Together Programme. Jack was also a University of Manchester alumnus.
His father has publicly spoken out against Boris Johnson and said his response to the murders has been "beyond disgusting."
David Merritt, Jack's father has shared a tweet that the Tories have been using his son's death to promote "vile propaganda". He said the Prime Minister is trying to "make political gain from people's death in a terror incident."
It's beyond disgusting that Boris Johnson, Priti Patel, & newspapers like the Mail are using Jack Merritt's death and image to promote an agenda he fought against all his life.
He was a passionate believer in rehabilitation and transformative justice, not draconian sentencing.
— Ash Sarkar (@AyoCaesar) December 2, 2019
He has also spoken out against newspapers like the Daily Mail and the Daily Express. David tweeted last night: "Don’t use my son’s death, and his and his colleague’s photos – to promote your vile propaganda. Jack stood against everything you stand for – hatred, division, ignorance."
Don’t use my son’s death, and his and his colleague’s photos – to promote your vile propaganda. Jack stood against everything you stand for – hatred, division, ignorance. https://t.co/R8LO16lugk
— David Merritt (@butwhatifitsall) December 1, 2019
Jack's friend wrote a tribute to him on Twitter which has been shared by thousands. She captioned it "My darling boy, Jack Merritt. My best friend, Jack Merritt. My heart is hurting and I can barely breathe."
My darling boy, Jack Merritt. My best friend, Jack Merritt. My heart is hurting and I can barely breathe. pic.twitter.com/qjDjkUXDVG
— holl 🌻 (@HollieJ2193) December 1, 2019
Cambridge University's Vice-Chancellor, Professor Stephen Toope said last Friday:
"I am devastated to learn that today's hateful attack on London Bridge may have been targeted at staff, students and alumni attending an event organised by the University of Cambridge's Institute of Criminology. We are in touch with the Metropolitan Police, and awaiting further details of the victims. We mourn the dead and hope for a speedy recovery for the injured. Our thoughts are with all their families and friends."