Tories slammed after pensioner wearing ‘£17k Rolex’ in winter fuel video

It has muddled the message the party were trying to send

The video showed a pensioner sporting the flashy timepiece and condemned the decision by the government to cut the payments which was first introduced by Labour in 1997.

The video was posted to X last Friday promoting a petition against the policy, however, eagle-eyed social media users quickly picked up on the supposed abnormality.

Notably former GB News presenter Albie Amankona wrote: "Tell me my party’s social media team did not film a pensioner losing the winter fuel allowance wearing a solid gold Rolex?"

Meanwhile, another person described the watch as "very distinctive" claiming the watch as a rare Rolex Tridor Day-Date as he linked the post to an eBay page which had the watch listed for £17,000.

Chrono 24, a watch reselling site, has Tridor watches listed between £4,895 and £62,253.

It is possible to buy replica Rolex watches and these retail at between £90 and £440, although it is unknown whether the watch in the video is genuine or not.

The decision by Labour to make the winter fuel allowance means-tested will mean that only pensioners who receive pension credit will get the £200 or £300 payment in their bank accounts this year.

Previously, the payment was available to every pensioner regardless of their income, however, the Labour party have cut the credit in attempt to claw back cash.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves has called the cut one of the tough decisions she has had to make to tackle what she described was a £22 billion ‘black hole’ in the government’s finances.

Naturally, the Conservatives, who have dubbed themselves as "leading the fight to reverse Labour’s decision", have come out in protest of the decision.