David Lammy's anticipated speech at the G20 summit in South Africa fell flat when a technical oversight prevented the live stream from broadcasting his remarks. Despite preparations for a bold statement on Ukraine, the lack of coverage left the audience reliant on a later readout from the Foreign Office. His statements on Russia's lack of respect for Ukraine and calls for peace were overshadowed by the failure to record the moment, highlighting the irony of conducting significant diplomacy in near silence.
Eventually it became clear. Someone apologetically admitted they had forgotten to turn on the power at the mains. The cameras had recorded nothing.
In desperation, the Foreign Office sent around a readout. Lammy had spoken. And he had been forthright. The bravest of the brave.
Russia had learned nothing. It had no respect for Ukraine's sovereignty. No sympathy for the innocent victims of aggression.
But all he had heard was tired fabrications. Strong stuff. We checked the transcripts — whatever his message was, it never made it to the audience.
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