Man behind satirical Secret Tory Twitter account unmasks himself

The Secret Tory unmasks himself: Man behind satirical anti-Brexit Twitter account is marathon running PT who started parodying Conservatives ‘because he got bored’ – ending speculation that anonymous writer was a real-life MP

• Account is run by ultra marathon runner and amateur dramatist Henry Morris
• The page was initially named ‘Mark ne Francois pas’ – reference to Mark Francois 

The man behind the Secret Tory account on Twitter has unmasked himself as a personal trainer who started parodying Conservative MPs because he was ‘bored’.

The account has garnered a following of more than 200,000 people since it was set up in 2019.

Its then anonymous writer published a book last year and followers speculated that the person behind the account could have been a famous comedian or an MP.

But ultra marathon runner and amateur dramatist Henry Morris has admitted that he is behind the account, which was initially named Mark ne Francois pas – a reference to Tory MP Mark Francois. 

The personal trainer said he started parodying Mr Francois when he was ‘bored’.

The man behind the Secret Tory account on Twitter has unmasked himself as a personal trainer who started parodying Conservative MPs because he was ‘bored’ 

Mr Morris revealed his identity in a video published on the Secret Tory Twitter account

‘I inadvertently started parodying Mark Francois at the height of Brexit when I was bored between training clients in my gym,’ he told the BBC.

‘It took on a life of its own almost immediately, I remember people in the gym laughing about the account without knowing it was me, and it was very nice to have my hunch confirmed that I could make people laugh.’

The account was later renamed Michael Govern Badly, a reference to current Housing Secretary Michael Gove and the ‘oven-ready’ Brexit deal that he and Boris Johnson touted before the 2019 election.

Mr Morris said that whilst he has ‘loved the wind-up’, he now thinks it is time to ‘let people know who I really am.’ 

He apologised to anyone who feels ‘cheated’ by the fact that he is not a real Tory MP.  

 The account has garnered a following of more than 200,000 people since it was set up in 2019

Mr Morris announced on the Secret Tory account earlier this month that he was going to unmask himself

His book, The Diary of a Secret Tory MP: (Almost!) True Stories from the Heart of British Politics, was endorsed by LBC presenter James O’Brien.

Mr Morris revealed his identity in a video published on the Secret Tory Twitter account. 

Produced as a mock news report, it puts satirical words to the mouths of the likes of Mr Gove, former PM Liz Truss and former Business Secretary Jacob Rees Mogg.

It begins with a satirical address by a pretend newsreader, who says: ‘Rogue UK Twitter account the Secret Tory is wanted for distracting the Tory government for concentrating on national self-impoverishment by forcing them to fight puerile accusations instead.

‘If you have any information relating to their identity, Crimestoppers are offering a £500 community cash reward.’ 

Mr Morris announced on the Secret Tory account earlier this month that he was going to unmask himself.

He wrote: ‘I’m going to stand down as an MP and tell you who I am. 

‘The Tory brand is starting to get a bit toxic and I’d love to eat kangaroo b******s on I’m a Celeb one day.’ 

The tweet was a reference to former Health Secretary Matt Hancock’s appearance on the ITV show, where he was seen eating gruesome dishes including ostrich anus. 

Mr Morris revealed his identity in a video published on the Secret Tory Twitter account

Some of the recent tweets on the Secret Tory Twitter account, which is run by personal trainer Henry Morris

He claims to have an ‘incredible track record’ after spending a decade ‘training celebrities and politicians in London’

Ultra marathon runner and amateur dramatist Henry Morris has admitted that he is behind the account

Mr Morris says on his personal website, which has recently been taken down, that he grew up in Yorkshire but is now based in western Wales.

He claims to have an ‘incredible track record’ after spending a decade ‘training celebrities and politicians in London’.

‘In 2007 my life was directionless, I was overweight, extremely unfit and unable to run for longer than 15 minutes at a time. I knew things had to change. I decided to become a runner,’ he writes.

‘By 2012 I had completed several 50 mile races and the Hardmoors, a 113 mile single-stage race. As of September 2019, I have completed over 40 ultra marathons.

‘I changed how I live my life and I want to help you do the same. My clients all say the same thing – if you want to become fitter than you’ve ever been, and thoroughly enjoy the time spent doing it, then I am then trainer for you.’

Source: Read Full Article