The Tories may be regretting their latest attempt to smear the Labour Party, after sharing a video on their Twitter feed which could leave them the target of a lawsuit.
A viral lie has been making the rounds this week, where it is claimed that Corbyn back-tracked on a pledge to wipe student debt which never even existed.
In their eagerness to help to spread the fake news, the Conservatives tweeted a short video showing the “evidence” of their claim – a video which the Tories have still not removed from their official Twitter feed, despite the threat of legal action:
Promise broken: Confirmed, Labour's promise to wipe student debt was just an ambition. pic.twitter.com/Sat5RZwTHk
— Conservatives (@Conservatives) July 18, 2017
The Tories chose to include a prominent photo owned by photographer Jordan Curtis Hughes, NME, and Time Inc, without bothering to ask his permission to use the image.
Needless to say, the person who took the photos was not impressed:
https://twitter.com/jordhughesphoto/status/887011566104842240
Jordan has confirmed on his Twitter that NME did not sign off the picture and that they are in talks with Time Inc legal team.
https://twitter.com/jordhughesphoto/status/887237118204010499
Jordan also promised to donate any proceeds to his local food bank:
https://twitter.com/jordhughesphoto/status/887228450150526977
This isn’t the first time that the Tories have been the centre of controversy for using unauthorised images.
In April this year, Shropshire Conservatives used a picture on their manifesto of an Australian charity’s staff, under a heading “10 Reasons to vote Conservative”.
People reacted angrily to the dishonesty of using photos of another country when campaigning locally, especially when it was revealed the charity had not given their consent to have the image used.
The Conservatives were forced to release a statement apologising for the gaffe, giving assurances they would not continue to distribute copies of their manifesto which used the image.
It is shocking that the Conservatives are resorting to such dishonest tactics to spread their propaganda. Let’s hope that this time they won’t get away with it so easily.
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