NADINE Dorries once wrote to Jacob Rees-Mogg to call him a “f***wit”, it has been reported.
The news of the clash between the now Culture Secretary and Leader of the House of Commons comes from a column written by Nigel Farndale, a writer and senior editor at The Times.
In it, Farndale notes comparisons between putting Pogues singer Shane MacGowan in charge of a swear box and putting Nadine Dorries in charge of a new bill to fight hate on social media.
He says he has a “sneaking admiration” for the Culture Secretary’s confrontational style, which he connects to her “impeccable working-class credentials”.
READ MORE: Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries shared ‘unhinged bile’ about journalist
Farndale - who is well known for his interviews - then relates a story of one he conducted with Dorries during the days of the Tory-LibDem coalition at Westminster.
“She told me she had written a letter to a fellow Tory backbencher who had said that there aren't many MPs from the working classes because they don't know how to write letters.
“Her letter to him, in its entirety, read: 'Dear Mr Rees-Mogg, you are a F***wit. Yours sincerely, Nadine Dorries.'"
Dorries certainly has form for using the term, having used it to attack LBC host James O’Brien and others on social media in the past.
Unlike many journalists and authors - including Dorries herself - Farndale isn’t too active on Twitter.
One of the most recent posts he shared was from the famed author of Fatherland, Imperium and other historical novels, Robert Harris.
“I have dragged my sorry ass across the earth for 64 years, only to find this woman appointed Secretary of State for Culture,” Harris wrote.
I have dragged my sorry ass across the earth for 64 years, only to find this woman appointed Secretary of State for Culture. https://t.co/OWivHVUW00
— Robert Harris (@Robert___Harris) September 15, 2021
The author also shared a Dorries tweet from 2013, in which she asked “could a sister marry a sister” following a gay marriage bill...
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel