Emily Thornberry: MP who claimed she had never seen a home 'completely covered' by England flags tweeted similar image 2 years ago

Image resulted in shadow minister’s resignation

Comparison of the two homes tweeted by Emily Thornberry (top is most recent, bottom was taken in 2012)

A Labour shadow minister who defended a controversial tweet, that forced her resignation, by claiming she had never seen so many St George’s flags on a home posted a similar image two years ago.

Emily Thornberry, Labour MP for Islington South and Finsbury and formerly shadow attorney general, wrote on Twitter on 15 November 2012: “Wow great house in Lidney Rd,” below an image of a Bristol home with at least three St George’s flags decorating it.

Yesterday, Mrs Thornberry tweeted a picture of a Rochester home, captioned with “Image from #Rochester”, decorated with three St George’s flags.

The spokesperson, who declined to comment further, also disputed the number of flags on the Bristol home.

Labour Party leader Ed Miliband told Channel 4 today that it was "right" that Ms Thornberry had gone because she had shown "disrespect", adding that he feels "respect" when he sees a white van and a house covered in England flags.

The photograph was taken during the campaign for Bristol’s first mayor, in which Labour candidate Marvin Rees – also pictured in the image – lost to George Ferguson of Bristol 1 in 2012.

Late yesterday, following her resignation from the shadow cabinet, Ms Thornberry tweeted: “I apologise for any offence caused by the flag picture. People should fly the England flag with pride!”