It began when the follower wrote "@Real_Liam_Payne Isn't it kinda depressing for you to know that Justin Bieber will always be more successful than you?"
Payne quipped back, "@arianasmccann how many times have I been arrested."
The 21-year-old singer's reply irked Bieber's fans, who started bashing him.
Payne quickly took it back, tweeting, "Never mind," followed by, "#ringoffire, #banter."
Bieber, now 21, was first arrested in January 2014 for allegedly drag racing in Miami Beach, Florida.
Then in September 2014, the "Boyfriend" singer was arrested yet again and charged with assault for his alleged reckless driving in Ontario followed by a "physical altercation" with the driver of a minivan.