Prescott v Pickles in Ashcroft Twitter war
Updated on 01 March 2010
The row over Lord Ashcroft's tax status has reached twitter, with political heavyweights John Prescott and Eric Pickles slugging it out on the micro blogging website.
Former deputy prime minster Prescott struck the first blow, saying: "Instead of paying UK tax for 10 years, funding schools and hospitals, Ashcroft's been funding the Tories."
Two more tweets followed from Prescott. "Voters in marginal seats should remember that money that could have gone to frontline services is paying for Tory leaflets" he wrote, followed moments later by: "My message to Ashcroft. Pay back ten years of tax or leave the Lords. You made a promise and you broke it. Pay up or get out."
But enough was enough for the chairman of the Conservative party. He hit back claiming: "Lord Paul big Labour donor indicates he will leave Lords rather than expose himself to UK tax."
The pair then started directly messaging each other, with Prescott asking "@ericpickles Ashcroft says he'll pay tax IF Cameron wins. Does that mean we can also refuse to pay tax IF Tories win? Yes or no?"
Ducking that question, Eric Pickles then started asking his own in a series of direct questions.
"@johnprescott have you told Lord Paul to pay back 10 years of tax or shall I tell him?
"@johnprescott have you told Lakshmi Mittal to pay back 10 years of tax or shall I tell him?
"@johnprescott have you told Sir Ronald Cohen to pay back 10 years of tax or shall I tell him?"
Four more tweets followed from Eric Pickles, all along the same lines. John Prescott refused to answer them directly, instead questioned Lord Ashcroft's suitability to be a Lord.
"@ericpickles But this was a contract to join Lords. He would become resident and pay tax ending his nom dom status. He didn't honour it..."
Moments later another: "@ericpickles ..as part of this 'contract' Tories made him Deputy Chair and let him fund and mastermind your £5m marginal seats campaign."
John Prescott then retweeted Gary Gibbon's blog. "Certainly is RT @GaryGibbonBlog Ashcroft is a bigger story than the Tories might like."
Neither Eric Pickles or John Prescott answered the others' questions, the fight seemingly a draw, with Eric Pickles quickly moving on to other important matters. "Out canvassing with Wendy Morton in Tynemouth good reception on doorstep."
