Peter Dutton’s old tweets coming back to haunt him

AS A likely second leadership spill looms, Aussies are having a field day on social media digging up old tweets from Peter Dutton. And they’re even funnier now.

LET us never forget March 12, 2010 when Peter Dutton took to Twitter to inform his loyal followers that “Prince Philip is definitely my favourite royal”.

That was just one of the many tweets fired off by the now former Home Affairs Minister over the years as he was bravely navigating the complexities of social media like any other 40-something-year-old handed an iPhone.

But Mr Dutton couldn’t possibly foresee that, years later, his attempts at being relatable on Twitter would come back to haunt him.

In the hours that followed Tuesday’s dramatic leadership spill — which resulted in Mr Dutton losing the ballot to Malcolm Turnbull by 13 votes — eagle-eyed Twitter users began to dig up past tweets from the fallen minister, reminding Australia of the Prime Minister that could have been.

Here are some of the best — and the weirdest.

Prince Philip is definitely my favourite royal.

— Peter Dutton (@PeterDutton_MP) March 13, 2010

Some friendly advice Julia - beware a D/PM selling his "softer" side at a time your party is looking for l'ship

— Peter Dutton (@PeterDutton_MP) April 20, 2011

You dirty lefties are too easy. Enjoy your weekend.

— Peter Dutton (@PeterDutton_MP) December 9, 2011

I think Julia Gillard is taking her political advice from Charlie Sheen.

— Peter Dutton (@PeterDutton_MP) March 2, 2011

KRudds fringe looks like its been welded on this morn. More hair spray than Dame Edna.#flickredundant #jealousmyhairproblemisntsoeasilyfixed

— Peter Dutton (@PeterDutton_MP) August 12, 2013

I watched "At Home with Julia' for the 1st time today. I thought it was pretty shabby treatment of the PM and in partic Tim.

— Peter Dutton (@PeterDutton_MP) September 13, 2011

Warned for using twitter. Lift my game.

— Peter Dutton (@PeterDutton_MP) November 25, 2009

Bugger....

— Peter Dutton (@PeterDutton_MP) July 14, 2013

However it is Mr Dutton’s most recent tweet that social media users appear to find the most amusing; just four days ago he addressed speculation that he would be challenging Mr Turnbull’s leadership.

In relation to media stories today, just to make very clear, the Prime Minister has my support and I support the policies of the Government. My position hasn’t changed from my comments last Thursday.

— Peter Dutton (@PeterDutton_MP) August 17, 2018

Of course, Tuesday morning told a very different story.

Life comes at you fast. https://t.co/VlUWJdGT31

— David Olsen (@DDsD) August 21, 2018

Narrator: The Prime Minister did not have his support https://t.co/tffQpjHHXn

— Andrew Brown (@AndrewBrownAU) August 20, 2018

This has aged nicely.. https://t.co/nb9TNsYfwN

— Ben Murphy (@BenBMurph) August 21, 2018