Yahoo News Giles Coren’s home graffitied after he ‘mocked journalist’s death’
Giles Coren’s north London home was defaced with graffiti and smeared with dog mess after he was accused of mocking the death of a journalist on Twitter.
It came after the restaurant critic allegedly posted comments about how to respond to the death of someone “who has trolled you on Twitter”.
The comments were taken by several people to be a reference to Dawn Foster, a journalist whose sudden death aged 34, following complications related to long-term health problems, was announced last week.
It is alleged that Mr Coren was upset after Ms Foster suggested that he got his job at The Times through family connections.
Mr Coren’s father, Alan Coren, was a famous writer and broadcaster who regularly appeared on shows such as The News Quiz and Call My Bluff.
On hearing about Ms Foster’s death, a post on Mr Coren’s Twitter account allegedly read: “When someone dies who has trolled you on Twitter, saying vile and hurtful things about you and your family, is it okay to be like, ‘I’m sorry for the people who loved you, and any human death diminishes me, but can you f*** off on to hell now where you belong?’.”
The tweet was deleted, but was replaced by a second one which was also later pulled. That read: “When someone dies who has trolled you on Twitter, saying vile and hurtful things about you and your family, is it okay to be like, ‘I’m sorry for the people who loved you, and any human death diminishes me, but, HA HA HA HA HA HA’?”
On Wednesday night graffiti was seen daubed on Mr Coren’s home that read: “Dawn Foster Forever”.
Dog mess had also been left at the property, according to the Mail Online.
This has appeared outside Giles Coren’s house. pic.twitter.com/bGdYbjRGbF
— Elvis Buñuelo (@Mr_Considerate) July 21, 2021
Posts made on Mr Coren’s personal Twitter account appeared to have been screen-grabbed and widely shared, sparking a fierce backlash.
Fellow journalist Ash Sarkar commented: “Dawn Foster once said Giles Coren had a famous dad, and he never forgave her for it.
“No wonder it rattled him so much: a working class journalist, who had to fight for every scrap she got, called out the third-best Coren.”
I’m so sad to learn that Dawn Foster has died so young. She was a wonderful journalist & a beautiful writer who used her talent to expose injustice. Through her journalism she gave voice to those who are rarely heard. My thoughts are with all those who love her. Such a sad loss. pic.twitter.com/9AUvEkw0UK
— Jeremy Corbyn (@jeremycorbyn) July 15, 2021
Writer Carl Kinsella said: “I've tried to just log off and ignore it but Giles Coren openly laughing about the death of Dawn Foster has honestly put me through the wall.
“He won't even lose his job for it, and in a just world he would lose an awful lot more than that.”
Meanwhile, author Seamas O'Reilly tweeted: “So glad that rampant cancel culture is definitely actually a real thing that exists, because it means we can all look forward to Giles Coren suffering even one tiny consequence for gleefully rejoicing in Dawn Foster's death.”
The former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn led the tributes paid to Miss Foster, describing her as a “wonderful journalist and a beautiful writer”.
The Standard has contacted Mr Coren, his representatives, the BBC and News UK, which publishes The Times, for comment.
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