Wes Streeting sparks outrage with 'tone deaf' post after Huntingdon attack

Wes Streeting has been slammed by fans after he made a social media post about Strictly Come Dancing just one day after the Huntingdon knife attack. Eleven people were hospitalised after the mass stabbing, which happened on board a LNER Azuma train from Doncaster to London's King Cross on Saturday evening. One still remains in hospital with life-threatening injuries. Two men were arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after the attack. One, a 35-year-old, was released without charge, while a 32-year-old British man of Caribbean descent remains in custody.

After the incident, Streeting expressed his gratitude to emergency services and extended his sympathies to the victims and their families. He wrote: "Enormous thanks to emergency services for their response to this distressing incident - especially the brilliant response of our NHS services. My prayers tonight are with those affected and their families."

Less than 24 hours later, the Health Secretary took to his X account to praise Lewis Cope's performance on Strictly Come Dancing. The former Emmerdale actor, 30, was awarded the first 40 of the series for his Couple's Choice routine with professional partner Katya Jones.

Alongside a clip of the performance, the politician wrote: "I can't think of a better Strictly performance than this one. Spectacular and flawless."

Streeting's post sparked outrage on social media, with users criticising him for commenting on the show so soon after the attack.

"Nice to know you're tucked up safely watching strictly. So out of touch it's unbelievable," one furious person commented as a second echoed: "People are getting stabbed, our NHS is falling apart and you're posting about Strictly."

Hitting out at the Labour minister, another raged: "You've made yourself look like a compete prat posting about a silly dancing programme at a time like this. Can't you read the mood of the public? Or you just really thick and ignorant?"

A fourth fumed: "Yeah, I don't know anyone who watches that drivel.. Meanwhile, we have a man who was fatally stabbed while walking his dog two days ago, and ten people were stabbed on a train last night.. And you post this? Pathetic."

Another added: "Wes focusing on the big issues today, I see."

On Monday (November 3), Williams appeared at Peterborough Magistrates' Court charged with 10 counts of attempted murder, one count of actual bodily harm, and one count of possession of a bladed article.

He is also charged with a separate count of attempted murder and possession of a bladed article in connection with an incident on a train at Pontoon Dock DLR station in east London in the early hours of the same day.