'Desolate' north: Twitter users fight slur with photos
- Published
Tory peer Lord Howell has apologised for saying fracking should take place in the north east of England because it was "desolate". His comments caused a huge stir on Twitter, as users sprang to the area's defence with photographs like this one of Low Newton, Northumberland by @mari_stewart1.
Like hundreds of other Twitter users Alison Booth and Damian Weatherald used the simplicity of the site's hashtag labelling system to make their point: "#Saltburn #NorthEast #England #Desolate".
The Newcastle Gateshead quayside featured in a number of tweets. This photograph by Mark Savage was re-tweeted by many Twitter users.
In his original statement, former energy secretary Lord Howell said fracking caused less concern in the North East than in "beautiful natural areas". Richard Scrimshaw's response was this picture of Beadnell beach in Northumberland.
Sadie Parker tweeted: "Double rainbow in the Northumberland countryside #desolate or #beautiful #peaceful and altogether #amazing."
The north-east of England coast appeared again and again on Twitter. Tony Bosworth, from Friends of the Earth, called Lord Howell's comments "jaw-dropping".
The River Wansbeck also made an appearance, courtesy of Andrew Hall. The Archbishop of Canterbury and former Bishop of Durham, the Most Reverend Justin Welby, said on Twitter: "North east England very beautiful, rugged, welcoming, inspiring, historic, advancing, not 'desolate'."
@tor_boro tweeted: "Desolate (but she doesn't seem to care)." Lord Howell apologised for "any offence caused". He said he did not intend to suggest the North East was desolate but that "there are parts of the country that are less densely inhabited than others".
- Published31 July 2013
- Published30 July 2013
- Published30 July 2013