Former Conservative MP Louise Mensch has faced widespread ridicule after accusing Jeremy Corbyn supporters of anti-Semitism - over Twitter searches that turned out be her own.
Ms Mensch posted a series of screenshots showing what she said were autocompleted twitter searches alongside the name of Mr Corbyn’s fellow Labour leadership contender, Liz Kendall.
The supposedly autocompleted phrases alongside the @lizforleader handle included “nazi” and “Zionist”, which Mensch implied was the work to Corbyn’s supporters.
Twitter's autocomplete on Liz Kendall MP. This is the sewer that is Jeremy Corbyn's support. pic.twitter.com/H7gAQWkfGa
— Louise Mensch (@LouiseMensch) August 21, 2015
However, twitter users were quick to point out that Twitter doesn’t quite work that way and that, in fact, Mensch must have searched the phrases herself.
Mensch later admitted it was her own search history, but continued to post offensive tweets from apparent Corbyn supporters alongside phrases such as #AntisemitesForCorbyn and #MisogynistsForCorbyn.
Yes it's my search history. But "pin it" on Corbyn supporters? They are all from Corbyn supporters. Not Burnham's. https://t.co/Jtc9hjQ6UZ
— Louise Mensch (@LouiseMensch) August 21, 2015
Former deputy Prime Minister John Prescott was one of the many twitter users to poke fun at Mensch’s error.
So here's my autocomplete on Louise Mensch pic.twitter.com/GJWQQX8Vzw
— John Prescott (@johnprescott) August 21, 2015
As did others:
Look what happens if you search for @LouiseMensch on Twitter though. pic.twitter.com/jRACra69fA
— Dave Jones (@WelshGasDoc) August 21, 2015
Help @LouiseMensch mine are different what did I do wrong https://t.co/mDFJyAfYTL pic.twitter.com/ycOZekiahu
— Tom (@HealthUntoDeath) August 21, 2015
If there's anything we've learnt from Ed Balls and Louise Mensch, it's that politicians should NEVER try to search things on twitter.
— Hannah Thompson (@H_L_Thompson) August 21, 2015
Earlier this week, Jeremy Corbyn responded to claims of anti-Semitism.
Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s World At One programme, he said: “The idea that I’m some kind of racist or anti-Semitic person is beyond appalling, disgusting and deeply offensive. I have spent my life opposing racism. Until my dying day I will be opposed to racism in any form.”
