Johnny Mercer, a Tory politician, has come under fire for accusing his Labour rival, Fred Thomas, of lying about his military service. Thomas, a former Royal Marines officer, has been tight-lipped about his combat missions, leading to speculation and controversy. Mercer, who has served as a veterans minister, stood by his claims that Thomas had never been in combat, only in conflict zones. Supporters of Thomas, including prominent figures, have called for Mercer to apologize, asserting that Thomas is restricted in what he can disclose due to the nature of his service. The debate has sparked significant backlash, with many deeming Mercer's actions as disrespectful and desperate. Critics argue that Thomas has never boasted or bloated about his service.
My friend @JohnnyMercerUK is a bona fide British hero. He’s been under the cosh from some in the past 24 hours but he’s been vindicated. He has done more for veterans than *any* other UK politician. He deserves everyone’s respect https://t.co/gf5qnHqqMO
The initial line from Carol, Alastair et al was “Fred Thomas did serve in a combat zone, but he can’t talk about it”. Now that’s shifted to “the Guardian got it wrong. Not Fred Thomas”. Fine. But Johnny Mercer was right. So acknowledge it. https://t.co/C8Ipe7DGsP
‘Mercer stood by his claims, however, suggesting that he knew from his role as veterans minister that Thomas had never been in “combat” even if he had been in “conflict zones”…’ https://t.co/jGfxiNY8m9
Johnny Mercer is in full meltdown. He knows he’s ballsed up big time. Fred Thomas has NOT said the things @JohnnyMercerUK is accusing him of saying. NOWHERE is @FredThomasUK quoted in articles saying these things because HE HASN’T SAID THEM. Today the press has turned against… https://t.co/XxueJJy2dU
Don't particularly want to drag out this Fred Thomas/Johnny Mercer thing, because both clearly served their country with distinction. But people are saying "it's not Fred Thomas fault he was misreported". But he could have easily clarified that in the debate. And he didn't.
Don't particularly want to drag out this Fred Thomas/Johnny Mercer thing, because both clearly swerved their country with distinction. But people are saying "it's not Fred Thomas fault he was misreported". But he could have easily clarified that in the debate. And he didn't.
Tory Johnny Mercer blasted for 'disrespectful' claims about rival's Marine service https://t.co/vGmG1ZOMWX
Many now saying how diagraceful Johnny Mercer’s actions are inc @campbellclaret You should immediately apologise @JohnnyMercerUK https://t.co/1WUURPUfaB
Desperate @johnnymerceruk has hit rock bottom in his struggle for votes, even for a Tory! JOHNNY MERCER MUST APOLOGISE Last night he WRONGLY accused the man standing against him for Labour, former Royal Marines officer Fred Thomas @fredthomasuk of "lying" about his service.… https://t.co/2Yo6ZXXU7T https://t.co/LG0QGpXrHR
This is disgusting. And desperate. I have never seen or heard @FredThomasUK “boast” or “bloat”. On the contrary I sense he makes less of his military service than he could. But I also know, as does Mercer, that Fred is restricted in what he can say because he was involved in… https://t.co/cprpTd3WPZ
“Fred Thomas…also served in combat missions before leaving the corps in February, he said, but remains tightlipped about the details. Asked if he served with special forces, as sources have claimed, Thomas declined to comment.” https://t.co/vlVCeT0CZd https://t.co/u1e0ryJW4O