Karl Turner, who used to be the Shadow Attorney General, in tense stand-off with TV star, who doesn’t seem minded to back down
A top barrister-politician is in a heated social media row with Piers Morgan, that has left both men failing to budge over an allegation of dishonesty.
The spat stems from a Twitter exchange which played out yesterday morning.
It began when Turner — who stepped down from his role as Shadow Attorney General last summer but continues as MP for Hull — took aim at Morgan, tweeting a cheeky gag about how he could no longer watch ITV’s Good Morning Britain.
Just can't watch @GMB nowadays because @piersmorgan puts me off my breakfast.
— Karl Turner MP (@KarlTurnerMP) February 21, 2017
Hitting back at Turner’s early morning jibe, Morgan — who has over five million Twitter followers, among them US President Donald Trump — revealed that the only Hull Labour politician he rated was John Prescott. Ouch.
No problem, Karl. There's only one Labour politician I rate from Hull & it certainly isn't you. Cc @johnprescott https://t.co/m72DyohB2V
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) February 21, 2017
The online bust-up then spilled over onto the telly with Morgan mentioning the exchange on yesterday’s broadcast of his show. Soon after it reached the Hull Daily Mail, which published a piece containing various quotes from Turner.
This is where things get more complicated. After the article was published Morgan seemed to indicate on Twitter that Turner had claimed someone from ITV had issued an apology. Morgan then reprimanded the Hull Daily Mail for publishing “his lie”.
Nobody called you from ITV to apologise, @KarlTurnerMP.
You're lying.
And you've published his lie, @hulldailymail. https://t.co/nPBEq6y8zI— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) February 21, 2017
However, in its current form the Hull Daily Mail article contains no such claim about an ITV apology to Turner.
Nevertheless, Turner is maintaining that he did receive an apology.
I didn't say 'call' said contacted. It's true. Check your facts!! https://t.co/Aj2LzNwmMi
— Karl Turner MP (@KarlTurnerMP) February 21, 2017
Morgan denies this.
I checked the facts.
Nobody from ITV contacted you to 'apologise'.
You're a liar. https://t.co/J2SPEil7zm— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) February 22, 2017
Entering lawyer mode, Turner — who used to practise from Wilberforce Chambers in Hull — demanded that Morgan “retract the allegation”.
Retract the allegation that I am telling lies? I am not. I have the message. Stop now you look silly! https://t.co/IDvpfZtl0H
— Karl Turner MP (@KarlTurnerMP) February 22, 2017
Morgan then asked to “see or hear” the apology that Turner had apparently received.
Let's see or hear it then, Karl.
Easiest way to prove your claim that someone from ITV apologised to you. https://t.co/lsupQoCcQ9— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) February 22, 2017
At this point another tweeter claimed that a quote had been removed from the Hull Daily Mail’s original article. Refuting this, Turner responded:
Haven't had anything removed from anywhere. I haven't spoken to @hulldailymail about this since the reporter called. https://t.co/SXHQzgAcW3
— Karl Turner MP (@KarlTurnerMP) February 22, 2017
This didn’t satisfy Morgan. Claiming once again that Turner was “lying”, he has asked for the name of the ITV employee who has apologised on his behalf.
Sorry to nag, Karl but could you please tell us who apologised to you from ITV?
We all think you're lying. https://t.co/zuCLa6tAFU— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) February 22, 2017
Where will this end?
Turner is yet to respond to Legal Cheek‘s request for comment.
For all the latest news, features, events and jobs, sign up to Legal Cheek’s weekly newsletter here.