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This MP called Jane Austen one of Britain's 'greatest living authors' and Twitter tore her apart

It’s not like Jane Austen has been dead for exactly 200 years or anything.

Jul 20th 2017, 5:34 PM 5,465 Views 2 Comments

Andrea Leadsom, leader of the House of Commons, refers to 19th century novelist Jane Austen as "one of our greatest living authors" pic.twitter.com/fABYbREMuH
— PA Media (@PA) July 20, 2017

Source: Press Association/Twitter

THIS MORNING AT work, Andrea Leadsom (leader of the House of Commons) had a little slip up while talking about the writer who is featured on Britain’s new £10 note.

She said “Jane Austen [is] another of our greatest living authors”, to which her fellow MPs could not help but laugh. She quickly corrected her comment to “greatest ever authors”, but it was too late. The internet had seen her.

Andrea Leadsom describes Jane Austen as one of "our greatest living authors" https://t.co/MhJqfUcRtD pic.twitter.com/PNqIkcpplj
— BBC News (UK) (@BBCNews) July 20, 2017

Source: BBC News (UK)/Twitter

If the video won’t play, you can watch it here.

It wasn’t long before Waterstones managed to take the piss out of her slip up.

We are currently moving all our Jane Austen stock from Classics into Greatest Living Authors. Thanks Andrea Leadsom for the heads up.
— Waterstones (@Waterstones) July 20, 2017

Source: Waterstones/Twitter

Then the rest of Twitter moved in with the jokes.

Andrea Leadsom called Jane Austen "one of our greatest living authors"

And now to live reaction from Charles Dickens.
— Len (@LenM4) July 20, 2017

Source: Len/Twitter

Now Andrea Leadsom has established that Jane Austen is our greatest 'living' author at the age of 242, Tories declare her fit for work. pic.twitter.com/a64Mw9z8NX
— Scoop Alley (@scoopalley) July 20, 2017

Source: Scoop Alley/Twitter

I knew the Tories were trying to take us back to the 18th century.. didn't realise they'd achieved it 😏
— Kathryn (@_kjh30) July 20, 2017

Source: Kathryn/Twitter

BREAKING: Andrea Leadsom devastated to learn of Jane Austen's passing. Cancels today's photo-op with William Shakespeare as mark of respect
— U&Dave (@davechannel) July 20, 2017

Source: Dave/Twitter

Jacob Rees Mogg can confirm Andrea Leadsom's claim that Jane Austin is alive and well because he had tea with her last year in 1815. pic.twitter.com/NZOINliQwM
— Scoop Alley (@scoopalley) July 20, 2017

Source: Scoop Alley/Twitter

Enough is enough.

Andrea Leadsom has admitted to her Jane Austen error, and has apologised to her PM William Pitt the younger.
— Wolfie. 💙🧡💚 (@Tpopularfront) July 20, 2017

Source: Wolfie./Twitter

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This MP called Jane Austen one of Britain's 'greatest living authors' and Twitter tore her apart

It’s not like Jane Austen has been dead for exactly 200 years or anything.

It wasn’t long before Waterstones managed to take the piss out of her slip up.

Then the rest of Twitter moved in with the jokes.

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This MP called Jane Austen one of Britain's 'greatest living authors' and Twitter tore her apart

It’s not like Jane Austen has been dead for exactly 200 years or anything.

It wasn’t long before Waterstones managed to take the piss out of her slip up.

Then the rest of Twitter moved in with the jokes.

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