Two Reform UK councillors have apologised after posing in front of a political sign with 'sickening implications' while campaigning in the Makerfield by-election.
Newly elected councillors Lilian Rogers and Gemma Painter, who both won seats on Wigan council last month, posed smiling alongside a home made Reform placard stating 'I would rather vote for Jimmy Savile than Labour'.
The image, in which the two councillors are holding official 'I'm voting Rob Kenyon' signs, was shared on social media by Coun Painter before being deleted. However, the picture was subsequently widely shared.
Councillor Rogers' statement
Shevington, Lower Ground, Moor, and Appley Bridge councillor Lilian Rogers, who is giving a 'thumbs up' gesture in the picture, said the 'matter is now being dealt with internally' by the party. She released a statement saying she wished to address the matter 'directly and honestly'.
She said: 'The photograph was taken at the end of a long day of canvassing. We stopped to speak with a supportive local resident who asked for a quick picture with a home-made sign.'
'While I saw the sign at the time, I want to be absolutely clear, I completely failed to realise its sickening implications or context. In the rush of a busy campaign day, it was viewed as entirely innocent, and I did not comprehend the true, disgusting meaning behind it.'
'Had I understood the implication for even a second, I would never have associated myself with it or agreed to be photographed. The wording on that sign is utterly indefensible, and I completely condemn it. I am deeply sorry for any distress this situation has caused to anyone who has seen it, and I am incredibly disappointed in my own naivety in allowing myself to be compromised in this way.'
Councillor Painter's apology
Coun Painter, who represents Ince, expressed similar regrets. She said: 'Many of you will have seen the pictures of myself and a fellow councillor taken with a member of the public holding a board displaying a sentiment that I do not wish to repeat or indeed support.'
'I'd like to claim that it's fabricated, but that would be untrue. In reality it was a moment of incredible stupidity. I shared it online amongst a group of other pictures which was a mistake, a lack of attention and judgement on my part.'
'I was completely horrified as soon as the true nature of the message was brought to my attention at which point I immediately removed the post, but sadly the damage was done, by then the images had already been shared or copied and widely distributed.'
Coun Painter added: 'I make no excuse or justification for this and simply want to apologise. To any one that I offended, hurt or felt disrespected I sincerely apologise. To any of this monster's victims who may have seen the post I am sorry for any distress caused this was never my intention.'
