Ousted Doncaster MP Caroline Flint faces legal action after claiming Emily Thornberry branded northern Brexit voters 'stupid'

Former Don Valley MP Caroline Flint is facing legal action over her claims that the shadow foreign secretary Emily Thornberry called northern Brexit voters ‘stupid’.
Caroline Flint, Labour candidate for Don Valley lost her seat to Conservative candidate Nick Fletcher. Picture: Marie CaleyCaroline Flint, Labour candidate for Don Valley lost her seat to Conservative candidate Nick Fletcher. Picture: Marie Caley
Caroline Flint, Labour candidate for Don Valley lost her seat to Conservative candidate Nick Fletcher. Picture: Marie Caley

Ms Thornberry has called the accusation an “utter lie” and has said that she will be taking legal action after Ms Flint did not retract the statement.

Today (December 16) Ms Flint appeared on Good Morning Britain today to stand by her claims, which allege that Ms Thornberry, who is tipped for the Labour leadership, told a fellow MP in a leave-voting seat: "I'm glad my constituents aren't as stupid as yours".

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In an interview with Piers Morgan Ms Flint said of her claims: “I stand by them, but Piers, I may be subject to legal proceedings, so I don’t think I should comment on them any further."

Ms Thornberry tweeted in response to the accusations: “The quote Caroline attributed to me today is a total and utter lie.

“I’ve never said that to anyone, nor anything like it, nor would I ever think it. I once told Michael Fallon: ‘You can’t just go round making things up.’ Whatever our differences, let’s not sink into that gutter.”

Ms Flint initially made the comments as Labour figures argued over whether Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership was to blame for the party’s losses in the General Election on Thursday.

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Mr Corbyn blamed media attacks and Brexit for the result, which handed the Conservatives an 80-strong majority.

Caroline Flint lost her seat in Don Valley to the Conservatives after 22 years in the position.

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