PLYMOUTH'S Tory veterans minister Johnny Mercer has been branded "sad and desperate" by Keir Starmer after launching a series of attacks on a fellow veteran's service records.
Fred Thomas is challenging Mr Mercer for his Plymouth Moor View seat.
Mr Mercer claimed - without providing evidence that Mr Thomas had "lied" about serving in combat missions during his time in the marines and was a "Walter Mitty" figure.
Mr Thomas served in the Royal Marines for seven years, rising to the rank of captain.
He said he can't discuss much of his role in the armed forces because of its "sensitive" nature - and his deployment having ended relatively recently in 2022.
But Mr Mercer's attacks on a fellow ex-serviceman have backfired after not only opposition figures but other servicemen came out in support of Mr Thomas. Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said Mr Mercer's tirade showed him as "sad and desperate".
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