Caroline Flint 'stands by' comments about Emily Thornberry as Shadow Foreign Secretary threatens her with court action

Shadow Foreign Secretary Emily Thornberry has said she would would take ex-Don Valley MP Caroline Flint "to the courts" following accusations she labelled Leave voters "stupid".
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Ms Flint made the allegation on Sky News' Sophy Ridge On Sunday programme after losing her seat at the General Election.

She claimed Ms Thornberry had told a colleague: "I'm glad my constituents aren't as stupid as yours."

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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'."

Former Labour MP Caroline Flint. Photo: JPI MediaFormer Labour MP Caroline Flint. Photo: JPI Media
Former Labour MP Caroline Flint. Photo: JPI Media

Ms Thornberry, the Islington South and Finsbury MP, said the quote attributed to her "is a total and utter lie".

"I've never said that to anyone, nor anything like it, nor would I ever think it," she added.

"Whatever our differences, let's not sink into that gutter."

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And she told Sky News today: "One of my former colleagues came out and said the most extraordinary lies about me.

"I've contacted her and I've said to her, 'Please withdraw, I will give you until the end of the day' and she hasn't.

"So 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.

"But they can't make up s*** about me and, if they do, I have to take it to the courts."

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However Ms Flint stood by her comments and told Piers Morgan on ITV's Good Morning Britain: "I stand by my comments yesterday but I don't want to comment any further because there may be legal proceedings but I said what I said and I stand by them."