
British politics has often felt like one really, really long episode of The Thick Of It over the last few years.
But is there anything better - or more excruciating - than a good old “signing a document” photo call? No, no there isn’t.
Pictures have emerged of what looks like Labour leadership hopeful Keir Starmer doing just that but with a pen that still has its lid on... but all is not as it seems.
Still, people were quick to jump to conclusions and mock him for what they perceived as a gaffe.
This isn’t the first time a politician has fallen foul of the dreaded “signing a document photo call”. Remember when George Osbourne was mocked for signing his name on a printed budget document?
Or when Boris Johnson was mocked for staging a “resignation photo shoot” when he resigned as Foreign Secretary?
But when it comes to Starmer, it seems like there’s a clear explanation. People on social media were quick to defend the former barrister, saying that he was likely just been checking the document - as lawyers typically do do - before signing it.
And upon closer inspection, the photo shows his half way down the page, at a point where it's unlikely he would have to sign.
@James_Linsey1 He is probably just using the pen as a pointer. The lid is on so as not to make an inadvertent mark.— Dr Martin Opposes Gov’t Corruption (@Dr Martin Opposes Gov’t Corruption) 1581794641