Russian state television criticized Britain’s ‘opulent’ platinum jubilee celebrations, alleging they are a distraction from Downing Street parties and a broader fall in living standards caused by Russia’s sanctions against Vladimir Putin.
‘The UK, which as a consequence of its sanctions against Russia is bracing for power cuts, has found the money for an opulent celebration of the Queen’s platinum jubilee,’ said the evening news on Kremlin-controlled Rossiya-1 channel in a report from London.
‘The reign of Elizabeth II has seen the final collapse of the British empire.’
Former Caribbean colonies, according to Rossiya-1, now want to get rid of the queen as head of state and are openly anti-British, demanding apologies and compensation for slavery.
A ‘greater threat to the realm’ was Sinn Fein’s election victory, said the report, suggesting this paved the way for a united Ireland.
‘The imperial functions of the Anglo-Saxon world long ago passed to the United States, even though Boris Johnson is trying to revive British influence on the European continent by actively interfering in events in Ukraine,’ stated the sour report.
‘[The aim is to] deflect attention from domestic problems like Downing Street parties during lockdown and a general decline in living standards.’
The remarks on power cuts were made in response to UK government sources claiming that, in the worst-case scenario, up to six million houses might have their electricity rationed for several months.
Although the United Kingdom consumes very little Russian oil or gas, it would be forced to compete for supplies with other European countries if Putin halted all exports to the continent.
The administration is considering a variety of scenarios, according to a No10 official, and electricity rationing seems unlikely.
The threat has caused Britain’s coal-fired power stations to postpone their planned shutdown, according to Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng.