Tom Watson 'trolls Jeremy Corbyn with tweet about traingate row'

Labour's deputy leader Tom Watson (left) appeared to make fun of Jeremy Corbyn in a Twitter post
Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire
Hatty Collier26 August 2016
WEST END FINAL

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Tom Watson today appeared to troll Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn with a tweet about his explosive ‘Traingate’ row with rail operator Virgin.

Labour’s deputy leader appeared to make fun of Mr Corbyn after he was accused of lying about being unable to find a seat on a long-distance Virgin train for a publicity stunt.

Mr Watson wrote: “There a [sic] those that choose to be seated and those that sit on floors. A brief history of chairs.”

His tweet including a link to a blog in the Paris Review titled “Sitting up: A brief history of chairs.”

A bizarre feud broke out between Mr Corbyn and Virgin after the rail operator disputed his claim that he was unable to find a seat on a “ram-packed” service from London to Newcastle.

On social media, some praised Mr Watson for “his trolling game”, while others accused him of being “childish” and “immature”.

Ben Gartside quoted the tweet and said: "Tom Watson is the best thing about the Labour Party at the moment."

But Karen P tweeted: “What a childish post. I guess we know you won't be going into Comedy when politics is over for you.”

Paul Yandle said: “What a foolish, immature thing to tweet. Take a look at yourself and your position.”

The leader of the opposition rebuked reporters on Wednesday after being asked about the incident at a press conference, where he admitted there had been spare seats.

He told them: "Yes, I did look for two empty seats together so I could sit down with my wife to talk to her.

"That wasn't possible, so I went to the end of the train."

It comes as Labour Party members continue to vote in the leadership contest between Mr Corbyn and Owen Smith, with the outcome due to be announced on September 24.

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