WIKI'D LIES - BUNGLING Tories were left red-faced last night after getting caught altering online encyclopedia Wikipedia to attack Gordon Brown.
February 12, 2009 12:00 AM
By GRAEME WILSON - Deputy Political Editor - g.wilson@the-sun.co.uk in The Sun
By GRAEME WILSON - Deputy Political Editor - g.wilson@the-sun.co.uk in The Sun
The row erupted after Tory leader David Cameron mocked the PM for saying he felt like artist Titian "who reached the age of 90".
To gales of laughter, Mr Cameron told the Commons: "The fact is Titian died at 86."
Within minutes, the Italian master's age at death - 91 - was altered TWICE on Wikipedia, first to 88, then 82.
The second change carried an internet "fingerprint" tracing it to Tory HQ.
In a later statement, embarrassed Tory chiefs admitted: "Clearly it's not the business of the Conservative party to change entries on Wikipedia.
"However, in this case an over-eager member of staff acting on his own initiative chose to put right an incorrect entry."
Angry Labour MPs, including former Minister Peter Kilfoyle, raised the Wikipedia alteration in the Commons.
The party's Steve Pound fumed last night: "This is typical of Cameron's Conservatives - all spin, no substance and a deliberate manipulation of the facts."
Mr Cameron's attack was triggered by the PM's speech in Davos, Switzerland last month.
He told his audience: "I'm reminded of the story of Titian - the great painter who reached the age of 90. He finished the last of his nearly 100 brilliant paintings and said at the end of it, 'I'm finally beginning to learn how to paint'. That is where we are."
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