Brits raise £120,000 to ensure Big Ben chime for Brexit as Boris Johnson U-turns on call for public to donate
A FUNDRAISING appeal to ensure Big Ben bongs for Brexit had reached £120,000 last night.
But parliamentary officials warned they couldn’t take the cash even if the full £500,000 was raised.
Earlier this week PM Boris Johnson backed a crowdfunding bid to get the belltower, currently being renovated, to chime on January 31. He urged: “Bung a bob for a Big Ben bong”
But he backtracked yesterday as his spokesman highlighted “potential difficulties in accepting money from public donations”.
Former defence minister Mark Francois stormed: “As the Prime Minister effectively initiated this campaign live on TV two days ago, and as we are clearly going to hit the target, he would be mad to back away from it.”
And Nigel Farage said of the PM: “Does he believe in Brexit or is he embarrassed by it?”
Government sources blamed the “intransigence” of parliamentary authorities for scuppering the plan.
The source said the Commons has shown a “fairly no can-do” attitude to big bong bid.
Downing Street are drawing up their own plans to mark the historic moment. StandUp4Brexit the group behind the fundraiser hailed the public response.
Founder Rebecca Ryan said: “We’re really excited to have reached this milestone less than 24 hours after launch.
“This bears testament to the strength of feeling among the British people that Big Ben, the focal point of our democracy, must bong to mark this historic occasion — the moment when we finally take back control.”
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