Nicholas Soames teaches Lady Nugee a lesson

Emily Thornberry has not had an easy few weeks since her appointment as shadow defence secretary last month. On Monday she received a frosty reception at a meeting of the PLP, when Labour MPs heckled her as she discussed the party’s Trident policy. With members of her own party now against her, perhaps it’s only natural that she has sought counsel elsewhere.

The Sun reports that Thornberry’s assistant contacted Nicholas Soames to ask if the Tory grandee would meet her so she could hear ‘any insights’ Soames has to offer on Labour’s defence review. Alas, Soames will not be taking Thornberry up on the offer anytime soon. It turns out that Winston Churchill’s grandson is not all that keen to contribute to the Labour’s defence policy. He penned an acerbic reply, which has since been leaked to The Sun:

Dear Mr Gregory,

I think I should let you know that a lunatic, who seems to have got hold of your name, has sent me a message inviting me to meet with Lady Nugee for a tea or luncheon at some future date.