Labour MP tells Diane Abbott to stop acting like an 'internet troll'

The Twitter argument underlines continuing tensions among Labour MPs surrounding the prospect of military intervention in Syria

'Shame that Labour MPs want to support Cameron in his long held desire to bomb Syria," Diane Abbott wrote on Twitter. (PA)

Diane Abbott, the shadow international development secretary, has been told by a Labour MP to stop acting like an "internet troll" after she accused fellow MPs of wanting to side with David Cameron and bomb Syria.

Ms Abbott, one of Jeremy Corbyn's most vocal supporters, responded to an in The Observer suggesting a military component is needed alongside humanitarian aid and intensive diplomacy to protect Syrian civilians.

In the article, Labour MP Jo Cox and former Conservative Cabinet minister Andrew Mitchell argue "only radical action can bring an end to the world's greatest humanitarian crisis" in Syria.

She tweeted: "Sad that Labour MPs want to support Cameron in his long held desire to bomb Syria."

Responding to Ms Abbot's tweet, John Woodcock, Labour MP and chairman of the New Labour pressure group Progress, said: "Plight of refugees more important than Westminster bubble. You're shadow int development sec not an internet troll."

One of the article's authors, Jo Cox, later replied to Ms Abbott to say: "This is an unfair misrepresentation of my position. Let's focus on Syria not party pols."

Jess Phillips, Labour MP for Birmingham Yardley also joined the debate: "Good to see I'm not the only new MP whose opinion (which takes bravery to speak up) is being silenced by Diana. WTF," she tweeted.

"Abbott should put her case not slag off others for doing that. This is so hard, I have Syrian constituents begging for help."

The Twitter argument underlines continuing tensions among Labour MPs surrounding military intervention in Syria.

Strong opposition from Labour and dissent from Tory backbenchers saw the House of Commons reject proposed air strikes in Syria two years ago.

David Cameron has indicated he wants to hold a fresh Commons vote on Britain's role in Syria.

David Cameron has insisted that President Bashar al-Assad has no future in a post-civil war Syria.

“He can have no part in the future of Syria. I’m very clear: we haven’t even started discussions – we need to start discussions about how you bring a transition about,” he told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme on Tuesday.

“It’s not just my view that you can’t end up with Assad having a role in Syria: the Syrian people wouldn’t accept it.

“What you need to do is find a government that can appeal to Alawites, Kurds, Sunnis and Christians and if you don’t have someone who can do that you won’t have a Syria that works.”