Jeremy Corbyn's Virgin Trains PR Stunt Has Backfired Comically

"It wasn't ram-packed, it was full of bull."
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Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has been exposed by Virgin Trains after claiming he was forced to sit on the floor during a journey from Kings Cross to Newcastle in what has now become #traingate.

The Islington North MP said the train was “ram-packed” and used the opportunity to film a video calling for renationalisation of the railways. Virgin, however, released footage on Tuesday showing Corbyn walking past empty seats.

You might want to sit down, this is about to get really juicy.

https://t.co/PiUExQ83P2

— Owen Bennett (@owenjbennett) August 23, 2016

In a statement on its website, the train company referred to CCTV footage it has released to the media, which showed the Labour leader walking past empty unreserved seats before making the film, and then returning to his seat for the rest of the journey.

In response, Corbyn’s campaign team claimed he had given up his seat for a woman who was standing, however Virgin’s video seems to debunk their statement.

Since this is the most interesting thing that’s happened in British politics for weeks, Twitter is having a field day.

Jeremy Corbyns train arrives at Kings Cross for the press conference.... #TrainGate pic.twitter.com/1uS1QrLLnx

— Bob Bedford (@WowbaggerSeven) August 23, 2016

It wasn't "ram packed". It was "full of bull". #Traingate pic.twitter.com/X2isZNWb9O

— Dan D. Lyons (@newsfondue) August 23, 2016

#traingate reaction latest. pic.twitter.com/ZON1KTdwa9

— Mr Roger Quimbly (@RogerQuimbly) August 23, 2016

Hey @jeremycorbyn, how's straight talking, no-spin, honest politics coming along? #traingate

— Scott (@nutri_lad) August 23, 2016

Following #traingate , someone has popped up with a new transport solution for Jeremy. pic.twitter.com/OpWaDBfJ2T

— Sinister Farce (@twlldun) August 24, 2016

My Mum's kitchen is absolutely rammed. #TrainGate pic.twitter.com/u5OFboFIyJ

— Shane Morgan (@MrShaneMorgan) August 23, 2016

Corbyn toughs it out in Labour's "ram-packed" frontbench pic.twitter.com/NVAEJ8BxOz

— Asa Bennett (@asabenn) August 23, 2016

Last time I saw Jeremy Corbyn surrounded by this many empty seats he was delivering a statement in Parliament pic.twitter.com/cCu4m4wn2j

— Sean Kemp (@Sean_Kemp) August 23, 2016

Got a feeling Jeremy Corbyn might swerve the next PMQs - where could he sit? #traingate pic.twitter.com/3ZWOHHafox

— Joe Michalczuk (@joemichalczuk) August 23, 2016

When you get a seat #traingate pic.twitter.com/cH4Rsn3OE2

— HannahJane Parkinson (@ladyhaja) August 23, 2016

Nothing worse than kids and luggage on the seats.#traingate pic.twitter.com/Pn3PIkHiBX

— Andrew R (@ExcelPope) August 23, 2016

"I did not have a seat in that train carriage." #traingate pic.twitter.com/glPf6bjPHq

— James Bloodworth (@J_Bloodworth) August 23, 2016

Corbyn team denies claims of fake train footage. pic.twitter.com/UUWAZviqZ3

— News In Brie (@NewsInBrie) August 23, 2016

The pictures Virgin Trains and the MSM doesn't want you to see. #TrainGate pic.twitter.com/cCHZjsIW7m

— Ben (@Jamin2g) August 23, 2016

“All the cubicles were taken.” #traingate pic.twitter.com/KHwVAVwGWh

— Mockeree (@mockeree) August 23, 2016

Jeremy Corbyn is the Ryan Lochte of public transport.

— Jo Green (@JolyonGreen) August 23, 2016

You're not being fair, folks. Corbyn intended to do the PR from a @SouthernRailUK train but it never showed up. #traingate

— Henry Fosdike (@justmetalking) August 23, 2016

He wasn't even lying. pic.twitter.com/gifDJlbOOQ

— Liam Hill (@liamjlhill) August 23, 2016

I like the way that one of the CCTV images Virgin has released is apparently a close-up of a man picking his nose. pic.twitter.com/NfpjWIogrz

— Chris Brooke (@chrisbrooke) August 23, 2016

#traingate is straight out of the thick of it and i am loving every second

— roo (@_yeahsure) August 23, 2016

"...and I would've gotten away with it if it wasn't for those pesky vids..."#traingate

— Sir William Davenant (@SirWilliamD) August 24, 2016

Corbyn's aides trying to spin their way out of #Traingate like pic.twitter.com/7PMKTHXxwm

— Asa Bennett (@asabenn) August 23, 2016

Even Corbyn’s leadership rival Owen Smith got in on the action.

My campaign remains on track. Proud to be genuinely standing up for ordinary people.

— Owen Smith (@OwenSmith_MP) August 23, 2016

Bad puns, but 10/10 for effort Owen. At least it wasn’t as bad as Chris Bryant’s.

I think the wheels just came off Jeremy's campaign and he's about to be shunted into a siding. #traingate

— Chris Bryant MP (@RhonddaBryant) August 23, 2016

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