The Daily Telegraph has been mocked online after its front page story raised questions over whether Rory Stewart, a runner in the Conservative leadership race, was a spy for MI6.
On Tuesday, the right-wing newspaper, which pays Boris Johnson a reported £275,000 a year for a weekly column, ran the front page splash:
Mystery of Stewart's past links with MI6.
The front page of tomorrow's Daily Telegraph: 'Mystery of Stewart’s past links with MI6' #tomorrowspaperstoday https://t.co/ta244vkPkW— The Telegraph (@The Telegraph) 1560806397
The front page comes despite the fact that the Official Secrets Act protects the operations of Britain's security services, reports the Huffington Post. In the article, it suggested that Stewart was recruited as a '007-style' agent while a student at Oxford University, and said it got the tip-off from an 'unnamed Whitehall source', reports the Huffington Post.
However, the Conservative MP for Penrith and the Border denied all the claims in an interview with Radio 4 this morning. Speaking on the Today Show, he said:
No. And in fact, the law wouldn’t allow newspapers to reveal the identity of intelligence officers.
He also denied the claims in an interview with BBC Breakfast. Speaking to the reporter, he said:
Absolutely, I was not a spy. I am very, very proud to have served my country.
It goes without saying that it wasn't only Stewart who criticised the front page splash. Other social media users were quick to disagree, too.
Brian Cox said that it's representative of the fact we're in a 'sorry place'.
We’re in a sorry place as a society if the mere suggestion that you may have once put your life at risk keeping you… https://t.co/kixaOC8zcX— Brian Cox (@Brian Cox) 1560814551
Others thought that maybe the Telegraph are now worried about the rise of Stewart.
I was assuming Boris Johnson was a shoo-in for PM until I saw this. Someone’s suddenly worried about the rise of… https://t.co/dFF8lNyiDf— Lionel Barber (@Lionel Barber) 1560838752
The Morning Star *cough* Daily Telegraph.
Yes because serving your country as an intelligence officer is often seen as dodgy & sinister by The Morning Star.… https://t.co/ZP2xTlG2hk— Robert Webb (@Robert Webb) 1560837793
So, the fact he's a bit James Bond rules him out, right?
The Telegraph attempt to undermine @rorystewartuk in the minds of the British electorate through the interesting ro… https://t.co/GFGMa8MhXu— David Baddiel (@David Baddiel) 1560809800
MP for Tonbrige and Malling, Tom Tugendhat, criticised the Whitehall source.
If he did, he risked everything in the shadows defending our nation. If he didn’t, he risked everything in Iraq try… https://t.co/Z40YsZjFed— Tom Tugendhat (@Tom Tugendhat) 1560809205
So if Rory is like James Bond, does that make Boris like... Austin Powers!?
What an absolutely SHOCKING suggestion.
Shocked by the suggestion that a man who speaks 9 languages, worked across afghanistan & iraq, was minder to prince… https://t.co/ODzx5M5aaN— dan barker (@dan barker) 1560812042
There is Instagram, but there is also REALITY.
@AllieHBNews Instagram vs reality https://t.co/5Vrdpta2d0— Martin Heneghan (@Martin Heneghan) 1560812293
HT Huff Post