Huge handbags on Twitter this week between the Observer’s Toby Helm and the CCHQ @ToryEducation Twitter account. The Tory tweeter told Helm “You’re like Baldwin and Campbell – an activist, not a professional hack”, provoking paroxysms of rage from the Labour Party press office’s favourite broadsheet channel. Particularly after they called Helm a Labour stooge. This will apparently spill over into the paper this weekend when The Observer is going to allege that it is part of a scandalous McBride/Draper style dirty tricks operation. Guido understands that Helm reckons it could bring down Michael Gove…
Judge the robust exchange for yourself:
@toryeducation come on tell us who you are. You know who I am. Let's debate the issue and poll full on. Don't hide you pathetic disgrace.
— Toby Helm (@tobyhelm) January 27, 2013
https://twitter.com/toryeducation/status/295633641202126849
@toryeducation and no I am not an activist I care about an important issue which you clearly do not as you try to misrepresent it.
— Toby Helm (@tobyhelm) January 27, 2013
@toryeducation you are too cowardly even to say who you are. Let's debate this with the whole lot of figures and people will see your games.
— Toby Helm (@tobyhelm) January 27, 2013
https://twitter.com/toryeducation/status/295647362519539712
@toryeducation 18 years at telegraph as a Labour stooge eh? say who you are then we can judge who is the independent thinker here.
— Toby Helm (@tobyhelm) January 27, 2013
It is unclear to Guido whether or not the account is run officially or unofficially from CCHQ or by Gove’s SpAds, or what the exact rules about this would be. As is so often the way with Twitter, exchanges are strongly worded. SpAds are supposed to operate within civil service limitations. A strongly worded written letter of admonishment to a SpAd from the permanent secretary may result. Not exactly enough to bring down the Secretary of State…
UPDATE: Looks like Toby has been down the bookies:
Rush of money for Michael Gove to be next Cabinet Minister out. Odds cut from 25/1 to 8/1.
— Ladbrokes Politics (@LadPolitics) February 2, 2013
