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Gavin’s Gaffe: Education Minister confuses Maro Itoje with Marcus Rashford

In an interview blunder, Education Secretary Gavin Williamson mixed up rugby player Maro Itoje with football player Marcus Rashford.

Anna DamskibyAnna Damski
September 9, 2021
in Education, UK
Maro Itoje/Marcus Rashford

Maro Itoje/Marcus Rashford, via Wikimedia Commons under CC licence.

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On Wednesday, the Evening Standard ran an interview with Education Minister Gavin Williamson. Journalist Susannah Butter had asked him if he’d met Marcus Rashford, following his successful campaign to extend free school meals into the holidays. Williamson answered, that he had. “We met over Zoom and he seemed incredibly engaged, compassionate and charming but then he had to shoot off.”

Except that he hadn’t.

Butter describes what then happened. “Later Williamson’s team tell me he actually met the rugby player Maro Itoje, who campaigned to bridge the digital divide, not Rashford.” This was confirmed by a spokesperson for Rashford.

The confusion might be explained by the fact both sportsmen have campaigned on behalf of disadvantaged children during last year’s lockdowns. Rashford had pushed for free school meals, and Itoje for laptops to help children in lockdown keep up with classes.

This is far from the first time Williamson has made a major gaffe. In fact he’s so prone to them, that journalists are keeping lists.

Twitter, meanwhile, saw the meme opportunities and went to town

Gavin Williamson:
‘I was proud to meet Margaret Thatcher’ pic.twitter.com/1aD56d98ZN

— Paul Johnson (@paul__johnson) September 8, 2021

Gavin Williamson fondly recalls the time he met Ant & Dec pic.twitter.com/bBoqtfcJal

— Gwdihŵ 🦉 (@youwouldknow) September 8, 2021

Gavin Williamson: Such an honour to meet Bob Marley today pic.twitter.com/mlBHKY5lQA

— Martin Bailey (@MrBaileyM) September 8, 2021

Gavin Williamson meets r2d2. pic.twitter.com/tZhD8B4Zxh

— Dr Eric Farmer (@Himself132) September 8, 2021

Gavin Williamson fondly remembers the time he met Megan Markle. pic.twitter.com/n3iuiPpMwy

— Andrew Harris (@zingonathome) September 8, 2021

Gavin Williamson try’s his hand at sheep farming. pic.twitter.com/MipPycBnDz

— Working Class Socialist (@logical4areason) September 8, 2021

Gavin Williamson has apologised for a “genuine mistake” after mixing up England footballer Marcus Rashford with England rugby star Maro Itoje in an interview.

Mr Williamson pictured below meeting with Helen Mirren. pic.twitter.com/nk4qpZPDrg

— 𝕁𝕒𝕔𝕜 🛡️ 𝕁𝕒𝕫𝕫 (@JayJay08752584) September 9, 2021

Maro Itoje used his Twitter account to put the record straight:

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
Previous Post

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Vaughan Williams, Kings Lynn – and rulers who falter

Anna Damski

Anna Damski

Anna is Editor-in-chief of East Anglia Bylines. She is also Chair of Suffolk for Europe and a founding member of the Save British Farming campaign. Before retiring to Suffolk, Anna lived in London where she spent many years as a learning and development consultant.

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