People with same name find themselves the target of Twitter abuse but fight back with wit and wisdom

This article is more than 2 years old

This article is more than 2 years old

Peter Duttons from around the world have distanced themselves from the Australian MP who shares their name, as the former immigration minister mounted another leadership challenge to prime minister Malcolm Turnbull.



It’s a common occurrence for the Duttons – who have previously received online abuse for the MP’s comments on immigration, his record as a minister, and a 2016 incident where he called a female journalist “a mad fucking witch”.

Dutton, the Australian politician, has the Twitter handle @PeterDutton_MP. Other users around the world have @Peterdutton, @peter_dutton, @PeterDutton5 and @PeterDutton81.

On Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, as Dutton mounted a failed challenge and agitated for another, the Duttons moved to clear themselves again.

Fergus Hunter (@fergushunter) Let us pause for a moment to think of @peter_dutton and @peterdutton, two Americans whose mentions spike quite violently sometimes thanks to Australian politics.

Professor Peter Dutton, an American academic who specialises in maritime law, reacted with faux-surprise to a tweet that called him a “shit”.

He sympathised with another frequently mistaken Dutton, who is a New York resident.

Peter Dutton (@peter_dutton) I beg your pardon?!!!

Peter Dutton (@peter_dutton) I'm with you bro.... https://t.co/TMqos2mc1N

In May last year, the New York Dutton told everyone he had not been to Australia for 20 years, and begged to be left alone.

International House of Peter (@peterdutton) I've been to Australia once, in 1998, and nothing that's happened there since is my fault. https://t.co/Sz1XKnHC4E

Professor Dutton has previously described the Australian Dutton as “truly Trump-like” and told Australians he was sorry we were “burdened with such a politician”.



Peter Dutton (@peter_dutton) Wow...that is truly Trump-like! Sorry to hear you are burdened with such a politician too. https://t.co/GgEXxHYYjF

Another Dutton, who owns a popcorn company, was more straight to the point, and was soon proclaimed “the most popular Peter Dutton in Australia”.

Peter Dutton (@PeterDutton5) I wish the people of Australia would look at my profile and realize I’m a 30 yr old black man before sending me tweets and DMs. https://t.co/vzTF8JeMlZ

Peter Dutton (@PeterDutton5) Pretty sure my last tweet has made me the leading candidate for PM of Australia.



USA! It’s been real, mate. ✌🏾

Peter Dutton (@PeterDutton5) I’ve now found a place to stay. Australians are my newest cousins. https://t.co/Dr8539SV0W

An English Peter Dutton from the town of Horsham, who was mistaken for the politician in 2015, has not yet tweeted about a resurgence.

The English Dutton, who is a school organist, instead spent the past few days livetweeting the England v India test cricket match.



Peter Dutton (@PeterDutton81) In that last innings, Middlesex were at one point 50 odd -3. Patsy Hendren then hit 206, and Lord Aberdare made 105 off 95 balls. #ENGvIND #TMS #bbccricket

Peter Dutton (@PeterDutton81) @LMoinsey @PeterDutton_MP Why am I mentioned in this? I'm an English musician not an Australian mp.

Despite the clarifications, many of the Duttons continued to receive tweets and messages over the week.

International House of Peter (@peterdutton) You're right, and yet the Australian people seem to be inordinately interested in me.

Schtang (@Schtang) checkout these three traitors of Australian democracy #TURNCOATS @MathiasCormann @SenatorFifield and Michaela Cash #auspol _ Disgraceful @peter_dutton #auspol pic.twitter.com/w4ZTm66QDM

But some Australians said they preferred any of the other Duttons to the real thing.

Siobhan Hannan (@Shiv1000) Frankly, I’d prefer either of these Peter Duttons as new leader & #PM. Are either of you interested in a quick trip to Australia & temp position? It should only last a couple of months max. Nice accommodation, car & driver & 2nd hand leather jacket thrown in #auspol #libspill

And the MP himself, back in 2014, apologised to his doppelgangers for the confusion.