Thread by @ottocrat

Here's a classic piece of deflection using whataboutery, strawman arguments, and false equivalence to divert attention from the established finding that Vote Leave BROKE ELECTORAL LAW. #VoteLeaveCheated #VoteLeaveBrokeTheLaw 1/

https://twitter.com/Sapere_vivere/status/1019326449680113666

"Waaah Remain did it too!" Then report them. Report them and wait for the Electoral Commission's findings or STFU. 2/

Whitehall went into purdah as it always does ahead of an election. HMG was so scared of appearing to use the civil service that it didn't even allow them to plan for what to do if Leave won! With the results we see now. Sick of Quitters weaponising public servants. 3/

I'm also sick of europhobes smearing EU public comms as "propaganda" while at the same time vilifying the EU as opaque & distant & lacking in transparency. They can't have it both ways. They blame us for not hiding what we do, & they want to blame us for hiding what we do. 4/

EU civil servants were explicitly told by management to stay out of the referendum campaign, which by and large we did through gritted teeth. The Commission treated it as an internal UK matter and did not get involved, even to confront the deluge of lies coming from Leave. 5/

The EU guarantees the rights of its employees to freedom of expression. After the referendum, Brexit became fair game and - surprise surprise - British people working for the EU have some opinions on the matter. You'd better believe we want to share them. 6/

Oh and I wonder which examples of EU employees he has in mind? Speaking for myself (and typing this during my lunch break), I have NEVER pretended to be anything other than an EU official speaking in a personal capacity, as is my right (and frankly I see it as my duty). 7/

No, we don't like and cannot accept the result of a referendum narrowly won by a minority of the electorate on lies, fraud, illegality, and the deliberate disenfranchisement of key constituencies. So you'd better believe we're "up in arms". 8/

My final takeaway is that you will do anything to deflect the truth, even if it means smearing a neutral institution that exists to safeguard our democracy. Shame on you. Seriously. #VoteLeaveCheated #VoteLeaveBrokeTheLaw 9/9