Reactions on social media focused on the description of a bizarre initiation ritual for an Oxford University club made by an unnamed contemporary ofCameron’s who is himself a member of parliament.
The lawmaker claimed that the initiation ceremony involved a dead pig and that Cameron “inserted a private part of his anatomy into the animal’s mouth”.
The hashtag #Piggate quickly topped Twitter trending in Britain, with users making many pig-related puns.
Downing Street declined to comment on the claims, which were repeated in other British newspapers.
#Cameron everyone seems surprised that he lied over Lord Ashcrofts Tax status before the election, The NHS was much worse and cost billions
— HaywoodsLocalVoice (@HaywoodsVoice) September 22, 2015
pic.twitter.com/DS68W6X11x Flip me ! No wonder #Cameron volunteered to leave before next election.He truly can’t come back with any credibility
— Natalie Rowe (@RealNatalieRowe) September 21, 2015
#BBCNews #today After days of #Corbyn sniping, BBC seem to have lost interest in #Cameron‘s shortcomings in 24 hours. Threats from No10?
— Irene Short (@ipasho) September 22, 2015
50 shades of oink #Cameron #Piggate #blackmirror pic.twitter.com/6sn1C6qYdE
— Micky Beisenherz (@MickyBeisenherz) September 22, 2015
The book is being published by billionaire Michael Ashcroft, a major donor to Cameron’s Conservative Party who turned against the prime minister when he was not appointed to a senior government role.
Ashcroft, a former deputy chairman and treasurer of the party, admitted that he had been expecting the ministerial appointment following Cameron’s first general election victory in 2010.
The book “Call Me Dave” also claims that Cameronsmoked marijuana at university. Asked in the past about any drug-taking in the past the prime minister has said that he had “a normal university experience”.
The Daily Mail said that the biography would “make political waves” but the Guardian’s media columnist Roy Greenslade said that “it is highly doubtful that the book will cause more than a ripple”.
“People are much more likely to view the whole business as poor form by Ashcroft, a case of sour grapes,” Greenslade said.
The Independent said that “perhaps most damaging politically” is the claim by Ashcroft that Cameronknew of his non-domiciled tax status in 2009.
Ashcroft’s status, which meant he did not have to pay British taxes on overseas earnings, caused a major scandal at the time and Cameron’s office said the prime minister had only found out in 2010.
