Outrage as Labour candidate hangs campaign banner from gravestones
A Labour parliamentary candidate who is a rising figure in the party has sparked outrage after pictures appeared to show a campaign banner hung from gravestones.
Darren Rodwell, the leader of Barking and Dagenham Council, on Saturday launched his campaign to be Labour’s parliamentary candidate for Barking.
But photos posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, appear to show a large banner being hung from a wall using ropes attached to gravestones in Barking Abbey cemetery.
Sam Holland, the Tory parliamentary candidate for Dagenham and Rainham, has written to Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer urging him to suspend Mr Rodwell from the party.
He said: “I am deeply shocked by the actions of Darren Rodwell and all of the Labour activists involved in pursuit of a photo opportunity.
“This is offensive to so many people across the borough who deserve much so much better from their local political leaders.
“I have today written to Sir Keir Starmer calling for Darren Rodwell’s suspension from the Labour Party and for a full investigation into this incident, including whether a criminal offence has been committed.”
Ben Suter, the deputy chairman of the Dagenham and Rainham Conservatives Association, said it was “just disgraceful”.
Mr Suter said: “How someone in our community who leads our Council, is running to be an MP and claims to have ‘local values’, can devalue somebody’s gravestone in such a way. He should resign and apologise in full.”
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Mr Rodwell and Labour activists posed in front of the red and white banner which was positioned against a stone wall.
It featured a picture of Mr Rodwell alongside the slogan: “Local values, national voice.”
It is understood Labour will be taking action with Mr Rodwell.
Mr Rodwell was contacted for comment.
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