Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Louise Mensch blames Corbyn supporters for anti-Semitism - turns out it's her own offensive search history

Controversial commentator widely derided after social media gaffe

Olivia Blair
Saturday 22 August 2015 17:19 EDT
Comments
Conservative MP Louise Mensch has committed 137,000 tweets since she joined Twitter in January 2009
Conservative MP Louise Mensch has committed 137,000 tweets since she joined Twitter in January 2009 (Getty)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

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.

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.

Former deputy Prime Minister John Prescott was one of the many twitter users to poke fun at Mensch’s error.

As did others:

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.”

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in