Tories ridiculed for saying Emily Thornberry is a 'threat to national security'

Emily Thornberry is an MP from London and now shadow defence secretary

Labour's Emily Thornberry is now shadow defence secretary (PA)

The Conservative Party press office has said the appointment of Emily Thornberry as shadow defence secretary confirms Labour is a “threat to our national security” – prompting widespread ridicule on social media.

The press office’s message, posted on Twitter, was parodied by other users of social media, who presented mundane things as threats to national security.

Ms Thornberry was promoted to replace Maria Eagle, who moved to take over the brief of shadow culture secretary left vacant by sacked MP Michael Dugher.

Ms Thornberry is seen as closer to party leader Jeremy Corbyn on defence issues, including on whether the UK should build more nuclear weapons when its current stock expires.

The attack by the Conservatives follows a general shift in rhetoric by the party towards talking about “security” – with a previously slogan, “long-term economic plan”, apparently jettisoned.

They say that Ms Thornberry's opposition to Trident is a threat.