The Telegraph and Mail on Sunday have prompted a fierce backlash after both published articles detailing the private lives of the couple who recorded a row between Boris Johnson and his partner last week.
Tom Penn has said he recorded the altercation within his own home and “after a loud scream and banging” agreed with his wife that they should check on their neighbours.
He add: “I knocked three times at their front door, but there was no response. I went back upstairs into my flat, and we agreed that we should call the police.”
After the police told Penn all was well, he then passed the recording to The Guardian.
The Mail on Sunday subsequently published an article describing Penn and his wife as a “Remainer couple” who had tried to “sink Boris”.
The Telegraph article described the “left-wing couple” who “admitted” taping the altercation and a columnist for the paper said in a tweet “we really need to name and shame the Boris neighbours”.
The coverage sparked a fierce debate on social media with many accusing the papers of discouraging people from contacting police when they think someone’s welfare is in danger.
Labour MP Jess Phillips accused the journalists behind the story of “rank hypocrisy”.
Tory MP James Cleverly also expressed concern that Penn had passed the recording to The Guardian, saying that was the “big element”, not the actual row itself.
This also provoked outrage from commentators and at least one lawyer.
It’s been a rough few days for the Tory leadership hopeful who has refused to answer questions about the incident.
On Sunday it also came to light that previous denials he has no links with controversial far-right figure Steve Bannon have been thrown into doubt, after video emerged of the latter detailing their close relationship.