Williamson looks to have mistaken Rashford for a completely different person
Marcus Rashford appears to have laughed off the suggestion Education Secretary Gavin Williamson mistook him for England rugby player Maro Itoje – a man who looks *absolutely nothing like him*.
In a recent interview given to the Evening Standard‘s Susannah Butler, Williamson was asked if he had ever met the Manchester United and England footballer, who has repeatedly called for an urgent review of free school meals.
In response, Williamson said that he had spoken with Rashford “over Zoom” and that he “seemed incredibly engaged, compassionate and charming”. Lovely stuff.
Unfortunately, it seems Gav has got himself in a bit of a muddle. A tweet from Tom Newton Dunn claimed that Williamson’s team had since told him he had *not* spoken with Rashford, but had instead shared a Zoom call with Itoje. Oops.
Newton Dunn’s tweet has been widely shared since being posted on Wednesday afternoon, quickly reaching Rashford himself. Quote-tweeting it, the 23-year-old suggested London-born Itoje’s accent should have been enough for Williamson to tell them apart, adding a laughing face emoji on the end.
Accent could have been a giveaway 🤣 https://t.co/CO2oQjiZZ6
— Marcus Rashford (@MarcusRashford) September 8, 2021
He quickly followed his tweet with another, highlighting the need to focus on developing a sustainable long-term roadmap out of what he describes as a child hunger pandemic.
Well since I have your attention… https://t.co/3u04xU95lX
— Marcus Rashford (@MarcusRashford) September 8, 2021
While the Manchester United man and England international is beyond a household name these days – his incredible campaigning for school meals, to end child poverty in the UK and efforts to get kids reading again earned him an MBE – it seems the Education Secretary still can’t put the right name to the right face.
To add insult to injury, Itoje himself then waded in on the matter, saying:
“Due to recent speculation I thought it was necessary to confirm that I am not Marcus Rashford…
“And whilst we are here my name is not Mario either!! Just a simple Maro Itoje will do… Much love, Marcu… I mean Maro Itoje.”
Due to recent speculation I thought it was necessary to confirm that I am not Marcus Rashford… And whilst we are here my name is not Mario either!! Just a simple Maro Itoje will do…
Much love,
Marcu… I mean Maro Itoje
— Maro Itoje (@maroitoje) September 8, 2021
Related Links:
- MP Gavin Williamson says he met Marcus Rashford, but he actually met rugby player Maro Itoje
- “Marcus Rashford does nice things. And he plays football.”
- Note on Rashford mural says “Thank you for our dinner”
And yes. We know that’s Michael Gove.
