Peter Duttons from around the world have distanced themselves from the Australian MP who shares their name, as the former immigration minister mounted another leadership challenge to prime minister Malcolm Turnbull.
It’s a common occurrence for the Duttons – who have previously received online abuse for the MP’s comments on immigration, his record as a minister, and a 2016 incident where he called a female journalist “a mad fucking witch”.
Dutton, the Australian politician, has the Twitter handle @PeterDutton_MP. Other users around the world have @Peterdutton, @peter_dutton, @PeterDutton5 and @PeterDutton81.
On Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, as Dutton mounted a failed challenge and agitated for another, the Duttons moved to clear themselves again.
Let us pause for a moment to think of @peter_dutton and @peterdutton, two Americans whose mentions spike quite violently sometimes thanks to Australian politics.
— Fergus Hunter (@fergushunter) August 21, 2018
Professor Peter Dutton, an American academic who specialises in maritime law, reacted with faux-surprise to a tweet that called him a “shit”.
He sympathised with another frequently mistaken Dutton, who is a New York resident.
I beg your pardon?!!!
— Peter Dutton (@peter_dutton) August 21, 2018
I'm with you bro.... https://t.co/TMqos2mc1N
— Peter Dutton (@peter_dutton) August 21, 2018
In May last year, the New York Dutton told everyone he had not been to Australia for 20 years, and begged to be left alone.
I've been to Australia once, in 1998, and nothing that's happened there since is my fault. https://t.co/Sz1XKnHC4E
— International House of Peter (@peterdutton) May 16, 2017
Professor Dutton has previously described the Australian Dutton as “truly Trump-like” and told Australians he was sorry we were “burdened with such a politician”.
Wow...that is truly Trump-like! Sorry to hear you are burdened with such a politician too. https://t.co/GgEXxHYYjF
— Peter Dutton (@peter_dutton) January 3, 2016
Another Dutton, who owns a popcorn company, was more straight to the point, and was soon proclaimed “the most popular Peter Dutton in Australia”.
I wish the people of Australia would look at my profile and realize I’m a 30 yr old black man before sending me tweets and DMs. https://t.co/vzTF8JeMlZ
— Peter Dutton (@PeterDutton5) August 23, 2018
Pretty sure my last tweet has made me the leading candidate for PM of Australia.
— Peter Dutton (@PeterDutton5) August 23, 2018
USA! It’s been real, mate. ✌🏾
I’ve now found a place to stay. Australians are my newest cousins. https://t.co/Dr8539SV0W
— Peter Dutton (@PeterDutton5) August 23, 2018
An English Peter Dutton from the town of Horsham, who was mistaken for the politician in 2015, has not yet tweeted about a resurgence.
The English Dutton, who is a school organist, instead spent the past few days livetweeting the England v India test cricket match.
In that last innings, Middlesex were at one point 50 odd -3. Patsy Hendren then hit 206, and Lord Aberdare made 105 off 95 balls. #ENGvIND #TMS #bbccricket
— Peter Dutton (@PeterDutton81) August 21, 2018
@LMoinsey @PeterDutton_MP Why am I mentioned in this? I'm an English musician not an Australian mp.
— Peter Dutton (@PeterDutton81) November 25, 2015
Despite the clarifications, many of the Duttons continued to receive tweets and messages over the week.
You're right, and yet the Australian people seem to be inordinately interested in me.
— International House of Peter (@peterdutton) August 22, 2018
checkout these three traitors of Australian democracy #TURNCOATS @MathiasCormann @SenatorFifield and Michaela Cash #auspol _ Disgraceful @peter_dutton #auspol pic.twitter.com/w4ZTm66QDM
— Schtang (@Schtang) August 22, 2018
But some Australians said they preferred any of the other Duttons to the real thing.
Frankly, I’d prefer either of these Peter Duttons as new leader & #PM. Are either of you interested in a quick trip to Australia & temp position? It should only last a couple of months max. Nice accommodation, car & driver & 2nd hand leather jacket thrown in #auspol #libspill
— Siobhan Hannan (@Shiv1000) August 21, 2018
And the MP himself, back in 2014, apologised to his doppelgangers for the confusion.
@peterdutton I'm sure you get lots of misdirected tweets - mainly abuse I suspect. My apologies. All the best.
— Peter Dutton (@PeterDutton_MP) February 14, 2014
