Labour MP Emily Thornberry threatens Guido Fawkes with legal action after buy-to-let bust up
Two old foes are at it again and providing the public with a good old social media bust up.
Labour MP Emily Thornberry, who was sacked from her position as shadow attorney general after and ill-advised tweet, is going head-to-head with renowned political blogger Guido Fawkes.
There is no love lost between the two sides and Saturday morning saw a furious debate unfold where Thornberry felt it necessary to ask for an address to serve a writ.
The battle began after Thornberry tweeted a story from her local paper about the housing crisis in her Islington constituency. Thornberry commented that soaring prices were making the problem worse, to which Guido replied "and buy-to-let landlords privatising social housing, like, errr, you?
And buy-to-let landlords privatising social housing, like, errr, you? http://t.co/E4cQeJQa5X @EmilyThornberry
— Guido Fawkes (@GuidoFawkes) March 21, 2015
This triggered a flurry of back and forth between the two sides. Guido asked the Labour MP if she could remember a constituent who to her for help to stop him losing his home. Thornberry shot back.
@GuidoFawkes you'll remember that was a lie & national newspapers paid damages. Repeat so long as you give me an address for service of writ
— Emily Thornberry MP (@EmilyThornberry) March 21, 2015
However, Guido went on to reveal that the man in question had been his neighbour. After further sniping, Thornberry demanded an address for a writ. Guido was only too happy to oblige.
[email protected], get leave of the Court to serve via email. Am sure you know a friendly judge. @EmilyThornberry
— Guido Fawkes (@GuidoFawkes) March 21, 2015
It didn't take long for members of the legal profession to weigh in on the fight.
@GuidoFawkes no pre-action protocol letter from @EmilyThornberry = she'd probably end up paying an adverse costs order regardless of outcome
— Donal Blaney (@Donal_Blaney) March 21, 2015
Thornberry resigned last year following a furious reaction to a "snobbish" tweet she sent while on the campaign trail in Rochester and Stroud.
Thornberry tweeted a picture of a house with several England flags and a white van parked in the driveway with the caption "Image from #Rochester". The next day The Sun's front page carried the headline “Only Here For The Sneers”.