Thornberry sues over ‘stupid’ claim
A BITTER row between two senior Labour politicians could end up in court.
Emily Thornberry has contacted her solicitors after accusing Caroline Flint of spreading the ‘most extraordinary lies’ about her.
Miss Flint, who lost her Leave-backing Don Valley seat last week, had claimed the Shadow Foreign Secretary called Brexiteers ‘stupid’ after the 2016 referendum.
She made the initial allegation on Sky News’s Sophy Ridge on Sunday programme. She said: ‘Keir Starmer led us to a policy that did not listen to Labour Leave voices who urged caution, he led us down the path of a second referendum, and I’m afraid Emily Thornberry did as well.
‘She said to one of my colleagues: “I’m glad my constituents aren’t as stupid as yours”. I’m sorry, it’s not acceptable. And therefore we’re going to have to really look at what might make a candidate for leader who can at least steer us to a better place over the next few years.’
Miss Thornberry, who is said to be considering a leadership bid, said she had asked Miss Flint to withdraw the comment but she had not done so.
The MP for Islington South and Finsbury added: ‘I’ve had to go to solicitors. I mean, people can slag me off – so long as it is true, I’ll take it on the chin.’
Miss Flint told ITV’s Good Morning Britain that she stood by her remarks but would not make any further comment.
In 2014 Miss Thornberry had to resign from the Shadow Cabinet after being accused of sneering at a house bedecked with England flags.