Tories turn on social media team over 'embarrassing' middle finger Labour attack

08 December 2023 , 09:00

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Tories turn on social media team over 'embarrassing' middle finger Labour attack

As Rishi Sunak battles his MPs arguing over his Rwanda deal, senior Tories have further turned on their own party over a divisive attack ad on social media.

The official Conservatives Twitter account last night posted a screenshot of BBC journalist Maryam Moshiri putting up her middle finger to the camera, with the caption: "Labour when you ask for their plans to tackle illegal migration." Ms Moshiri had earlier said sorry if she "offended or upset anyone" with the gesture, explaining she was having a "private joke with the team" when she was caught on camera.

A host of Tory MPs demanded the Labour attack post be removed as they said it was "beneath us". Senior MP Tobias Ellwood, a former defence minister, said: "Please delete this post." Alicia Kearns, who chairs the Commons' foreign affairs select committee, said: “Amazed this has not – despite requests – been taken down. This is beneath us.”

Tory MPs demanded the attack post on Labour be removed

Conservatives in Communications said: "This is embarrassing. Please delete it." Gavin Barwell, the former No10 chief of staff who served under Theresa May, said: “This is the exact opposite of what politics should be.”

Labour MP Sarah Owen questioned whether controversial loudmouth Lee Anderson, who is Tory Deputy Chairman, had made the tweet. "I see Lee Anderson has control of the Tory twitter account. They’ve clearly given up. A general election can’t come soon enough," she quipped. Meanwhile LBC presenter Sangita Myska said: "This BBC presenter’s parents were immigrants to Britain. They came here 45 years ago. She and they are British. Conservatives this tweet is ill judged, inappropriate and bigoted."

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The Tories also posted a GIF of John Travolta turning around and putting his hands out as if he was questioning something, with the caption: "Labour’s plan to end illegal migration."

Legal migration minister Tom Pursglove this morning defended the Conservatives' social media strategy. "I know that there were various tweets yesterday on this issue from the Conservative Party's official Twitter account," he told Times Radio.

"And of course this is content on an online platform, drawing attention to the fact that the Labour Party has no credible alternative. I do actually think that that is an interesting and important point in this debate," he said.

Sophie Huskisson