Sun columnist Louise Mensch accused of bullying the Milifandom’s teen leader during Twitter spat
Sun columnist and former Conservative MP Louise Mensch has been accused of breaching the Independent Press Standards Organisation's (IPSO) code of conduct by John Prescott for repeatedly criticising Abby Tomlinson, the 17-year-old girl credited with leading the #Milifandom movement.
A lengthy spat was sparked after Tomlinson tweeted her displeasure at how the Sun newspaper had treated her family after she was revealed as a major influencer of the Milifandom.
A formal complaint against the sun is being made for the way my family was treated regarding #milifandom.
— Abby Tomlinson (@twcuddleston) May 17, 2015
"If you associate yourself with The Labour Party, we will find you, and we WILL doorstep your nan" - Rupert Murdoch.
— Abby Tomlinson (@twcuddleston) May 15, 2015
In response, Mensch jumped to the defence of the publication she is currently a columnist for.
A Twitter storm ensued as Mensch persisted in questioning the teen about the origins of the hashtag she was often, incorrectly, credited with creating.
@twcuddleston Seriously, bog off. I understand you tried to doxx a reporter by tweeting her phone number. It won't work with me
— Louise Mensch (@LouiseMensch) May 19, 2015
Mensch also branded Tomlinson "pathetic" in the rant.
@twcuddleston your pathetic attempts to disclaim criticism by claiming to be "a child" at seventeen - yes, seventeen - won't wash
— Louise Mensch (@LouiseMensch) May 19, 2015
@twcuddleston You stated you "founded" #milifandom; you didn't. Can you point me to where you credited the girl who did? Thanks.
— Louise Mensch (@LouiseMensch) May 19, 2015
@twcuddleston Also have you apologized to the reporter for doxxing her phone number?
— Louise Mensch (@LouiseMensch) May 19, 2015
@twcuddleston it was *already a trending topic* when you tweeted this, your first tweet on Chloe's hashtag. Shameless
— Louise Mensch (@LouiseMensch) May 19, 2015
@twcuddleston just doing a storify now it is so remarkable how you took credit for her hashtag, described yourself as 'founder'
— Louise Mensch (@LouiseMensch) May 19, 2015
@twcuddleston she complained about it repeatedly but you apparently made no effort to correct - where did you credit her?
— Louise Mensch (@LouiseMensch) May 19, 2015
@twcuddleston She created and founded the #milifandom "Abby". Thank you. You did not. Where have you credited her?
— Louise Mensch (@LouiseMensch) May 19, 2015
Labour MP John Prescott complained that the Sun writer’s “pursuit” of the youth breached IPSO's clause four on press harassment:
i) Journalists must not engage in intimidation, harassment or persistent pursuit.
ii) They must not persist in questioning, telephoning, pursuing or photographing individuals once asked to desist; nor remain on their property when asked to leave and must not follow them. If requested, they must identify themselves and whom they represent.
iii) Editors must ensure these principles are observed by those working for them and take care not to use non-compliant material from other sources.
.@IpsoNews @MattTee Sun writer @LouiseMensch's pursuit of @twcuddleston, 17, breaches Code of Practice on harassment pic.twitter.com/IVRo1GoFTS
— John Prescott (@johnprescott) May 19, 2015
In response to the clash - which resulted in mutual blockings on Twitter - the teen posted a video asking the former MP ‘why are you so obsessed with me?”
Dear Louise Mensch pic.twitter.com/jmsfNIP25f
— Abby Tomlinson (@twcuddleston) May 19, 2015
Additionally, Guardian columnist Jack Monroe took a swing at Mensch for her treatment of the Milifandom founder.
Are you still bullying a 17 year old child? On the Internet? My my what a big brave girl you are @LouiseMensch
— Jack Monroe (@MsJackMonroe) May 18, 2015
The Sun has distanced itself from the argument in a statement to the HuffPost: "The Sun is neither responsible for, nor going to comment on, what our columnists write on social media."