Twitter has cut off access to the final 31 Twitter accounts that recorded deleted tweets from politicians and diplomats around the world. It had already neutered some accounts belonging to Politwoops and Diplotwoops, but completed the purge this weekend, blocking access to the likes of @deletedbyMPs, which recorded the deleted tweets of British MPs. Twitter have justified the decision by claiming that the ability for a public official to hide something they said in public is some kind of human right:

“Imagine how nerve-racking – terrifying, even – tweeting would be if it was immutable and irrevocable? No one user is more deserving of that ability than another. Indeed, deleting a tweet is an expression of the user’s voice.”

Which means gems like these will be hidden forever:

DT @DavidLammy: Good luck to students waiting for there GCSE results today. Rooting for you! #GCS… http://t.co/QUYPZC65bG

— Tweets MPs Delete (@deletedbyMPs) August 20, 2015

A cynic might say Twitter are keen not irritate the political class at a time when governments around the world are contemplating regulating social media...