Newfoundland premier ditches Twitter over 'inappropriate or vulgar' associations

ST. JOHN'S, N.L. - Newfoundland and Labrador's premier has shut down her Twitter account after it implied associations that her office says were inappropriate or vulgar.

Kathy Dunderdale says she was upset when she found out her account was associated with the websites.

How politicians use social media became an issue this week when a New Democrat was temporarily suspended from the legislature after the Progressive Conservatives said she belonged to a Facebook group where an alleged death threat against Dunderdale was posted.

Gerry Rogers says she was added to the group without her knowledge and refused to apologize in the house on Tuesday.

The government reported the threats against Dunderdale to police.

Dunderdale says members of the legislature must uphold a higher standard on social media.

"I was dismayed to discover that my Twitter account was in any way associated with inappropriate websites," Dunderdale says in a statement.

"No one from any group or political party should align themselves with these types of comments. As soon as it was brought to my attention, I immediately took action to remove this disturbing association."

Whatever associations were on Dunderdale's Twitter account can no longer be found since it was shut down.

A news release from Dunderdale's office describes them as "promoting inappropriate or vulgar actions."