Sometimes in life you’re damned if you do and damned if you don’t, as Irish Taoiseach Leo Varadkar discovered when he found himself at the centre of an unfounded allegation on social media.
Mr Varadkar attended the Kylie Minogue concert in Dublin with his partner Matthew Barrett and some friends. He met the Australian singer back stage before having a few drinks and going to watch the concert.
The following day a post was circulated on Facebook saying that Mr Varadkar and his friends had been given a free meal but they couldn’t “find it in their hearts” to tip the waitress.
The Taoiseach was obviously stung by this because he took to twitter to offer this rebuttal.
“I’ve been made aware of a post on social media saying I had a free meal at a concert the other night. This is not true. There was no meal, we only had drinks and I paid.
“I have the receipt to prove it too.”
The person who originally made the accusation realised he had gone too far and offered this fulsome apology.
“Just to clarify I was sent a story about Leo Varadkar T.D. this morning and shared it in good faith. It now appears that it was inaccurate and I really should have checked before sharing.”
You might think that would be the end of the matter as Mr Varadkar had been vindicated but no, that was just the start of his problems. He then found himself being criticised on social media for taking up his time to deal with such a trivial matter when there were more pressing issues needing his attention.
I’ve been made aware of a post on social media saying I had a free meal at a concert the other night. This is not true. There was no meal, we only had drinks and I paid. I have the receipt to prove it too.
— Leo Varadkar (@campaignforleo) 4 December 2018
This bothers you? Not record levels of homelessness, poverty, hospital waiting lists, patients on trolleys, rising GHG emissions, record biodiversity loss, impending climate breakdown and mass extinctions. #priorities
— Dec Doherty (@Decdoherty) 4 December 2018
Taoiseach, I promise you that there are better things for you to be doing right now than addressing this. Literally anything would qualify.
— O Christmas Reid ? (@fergalreid) 4 December 2018
I’m more concerned about real people sleeping on the streets in this freezing weather tbh during your watch ? @FineGael
— Pinky #PeoplePower (@cncpinky) 4 December 2018
Slightly more worried about my 5 hour round commute to work each day because finding somewhere to rent in Dublin that i can afford is impossible but glad to know your priorities….
— Carly (@_carlyj) 4 December 2018
All of which goes to show, that in the world of politics, as with most things in life, sometimes you just can’t win no matter what you do.
Written by Michael Kehoe @michaelcalling