Britain's furious attorney general lashes out at online trolls amid outrage over 'no-deal' Brexit warning

INTERNET trolls have been dealt a stern warning by attorney general Suella Braverman in a furious outburst on the MP’s Facebook page.
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The Fareham MP insisted she would ‘not hesitate’ to block online bullies leaving nasty or ‘malicious’ comments on her official social media account this afternoon.

The move comes amid fury over the government’s shambolic handling of Brexit, with the prime minister today warning Britain to ‘prepare’ for a ‘no-deal’ exit, and confusion over new coronavirus lockdown rules.

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In a statement to her 4,466 followers, Mrs Braverman said: ‘Whilst I appreciate that there are many people who do not agree with my politics or views, this is not a place for online bullying, nastiness or offensive language.

Suella Braverman pictured in Downing Street. Photo: Stefan Rousseau/PA WireSuella Braverman pictured in Downing Street. Photo: Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire
Suella Braverman pictured in Downing Street. Photo: Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire

‘I will not hesitate to block anyone who crosses the line by posting repetitive or irrelevant replies, uses aggressive, rude or malicious language or generally uses the comments section in an unacceptable way.

‘Social media can be a force for good but it can also be used in harmful ways. Debate and disagreement are welcome, but only if expressed with courtesy, respect and politeness. If you’re going to use my page to troll or propagate falsehoods, then you will be blocked.’

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The stance has been backed by followers on Mrs Braverman’s Facebook account, with one woman saying: ‘Very well said! I have seen some disgusting comments on your page in the past. Thank you for all you do!’

Prime minister Boris Johnson wearing a face mask leaves Downing Street for PMQs on September 30, 2020 in London, England. Picture: Leon Neal/Getty ImagesPrime minister Boris Johnson wearing a face mask leaves Downing Street for PMQs on September 30, 2020 in London, England. Picture: Leon Neal/Getty Images
Prime minister Boris Johnson wearing a face mask leaves Downing Street for PMQs on September 30, 2020 in London, England. Picture: Leon Neal/Getty Images
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The attorney general’s online warning came just hours after prime minister Boris Johnson’s latest update on the Brexit negotiations.

Brexiteer Mrs Braverman has been an ardent supporter of Britain’s divorce with the EU and was one of Mr Johnson’s allies during his election campaign.

But she has previously faced online criticism for her support of the Brexit campaign, despite many constituents in Fareham sharing her view, with 55.1 per cent voting to leave during 2016’s referendum.

Mr Johnson today claimed Brussels had ‘abandoned’ the ambition of a free trade deal but insisted and said he was making the decision to prepare for no deal with ‘a high heart’.

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‘A lot of progress has been made on such issues as social security and aviation, nuclear cooperation, and so on,” he said in a televised address from Downing Street, but ‘for whatever reason, it’s clear from the [EU] summit that after 45 years of [UK] membership they are not willing, unless there’s some fundamental change of approach, to offer this country the same terms as Canada’.

He said that given there were only 10 weeks left until the transition period ended, he had to make a call about the likely outcome and to prepare the country.

‘I concluded that we should get ready for January 1 with arrangements that are more like Australia’s – based on simple principles of global free trade,’ he added.

‘So, we have high hearts, and with complete confidence we will prepare to embrace the alternative and we will prosper mightily as an independent free-trading nation, controlling our own borders, our fisheries and setting our own laws.’

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