Bridgwater Labour mayor Leigh Redman is facing calls to resign after a Remembrance Sunday photo was edited to remove Conservative councillor Diogo Rodrigues before being sent to the press. The row erupted on Armistice Day as the nation honoured its war dead.
Mr Rodrigues, who leads the Conservative opposition on Somerset Council and also sits on Bridgwater Town Council, had volunteered for the Royal British Legion's Poppy Appeal this year. He branded the stunt "low and disrespectful" and said it "was politically motivated" and "really stupid".
Photo Doctored and Emailed as Press Release
The image, which showed Mr Rodrigues standing to the left shoulder of the mayor, was emailed out as a press release with the Tory councillor mysteriously removed before being shared on social media. Mr Rodrigues lodged a complaint after spotting he had been erased from the event.
Speaking to the Daily Express, he said: "The mayor has apologised, in a post on Facebook, but I do not think that is good enough. It's so disrespectful, he should consider resigning, because of his lack of respect for the town."
Mayor's Apology Falls Short
Mr Redman's Facebook statement apologised only for "any offence and upset caused" and stopped short of saying sorry for doctoring the image. He wrote: "I apologise for any offence and upset caused to Cllr Rodrigues by a photograph shared following Remembrance Sunday. I recognise the importance of the occasion and regret that the post has become a distraction for what should be a day of remembrance and respect."
This is not the first time a Labour figure has been caught over a faked military photo. Last year, former Labour MP Andrew Gwynne, sacked over vile WhatsApp messages, admitted posting a fake photo of himself at an Armed Forces Day event after a Tory councillor accused him of photoshopping himself into the picture.
The Bridgwater row comes as communities across Britain gathered at war memorials for Remembrance to pay tribute to those who gave their lives for their country.
