'Vile': Tory councillor apologises for Jeremy Corbyn Liverpool bomb attack tweet

16 November 2021, 18:08

The tweet depicted Jeremy Corbyn holding a wreath
The tweet depicted Jeremy Corbyn holding a wreath. Picture: Alamy

By Patrick Grafton-Green

A Tory councillor is facing a huge backlash over a doctored photo showing Jeremy Corbyn at the scene of the Liverpool bomb attack.

Paul Nickerson has apologised after the image was posted from his Twitter account on Monday evening.

The East Riding of Yorkshire councillor, who represents the Minster and Woodmansey ward, has also been suspended.

READ MORE: Pictured: ‘Christian convert’ refugee who died in Liverpool Poppy Day terror attack

READ MORE: UK terror threat raised to 'severe' following Poppy Day explosion in Liverpool

The now deleted tweet superimposed an image of the former Labour leader holding a wreath onto a picture of the burning taxi after an explosive device was detonated outside Liverpool Women’s Hospital on Sunday.

It was posted alongside the caption: "Unsurprisingly".

It is thought to be a reference to a row in 2018 over Mr Corbyn’s attendance at a wreath-laying ceremony in Tunisia in 2014.

He was accused of honouring the perpetrators of the terror attack at the 1972 Olympic Games, however he insisted he was there to pay tribute to the victims of a 1985 Israeli air strike.

After the post was deleted, Mr Nickerson, wrote: "I would like to apologise for a political tweet sent from my account yesterday which has been upsetting for some people and I unreservedly apologise to all concerned."

He has been condemned by many Twitter users, including local MPs.

Hull West and Hessle MP Emma Hardy wrote: "Using a horrific terrorist incident to have a go at a politician he doesn’t like is a new low."

Hull East MP Karl Turner said: "This is grotesque. Anybody would be utterly disgusted that any elected member of any political party would make light of a terror attack on mainland Britain on the very day that our Home Secretary Priti Patel has had to raise the threat level. It must be investigated immediately."

Activist Owen Jones called the tweet "completely vile", adding "where do you even start".

Police last night named the man who died in the taxi explosion, which has been declared a terror incident, as Emad Al Swealmeen.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

The gas would have to be extracted via fracking

Giant gas field discovered under UK that 'could fuel the country for a decade'

Donald Trump has been accused of 'appeasement'

Ukraine’s future at stake as world leaders gather in Munich - with Trump accused of ‘appeasing’ Putin

Una Crown

Bloody fingernails of murdered widow, 86, help convict killer 12 years after she was stabbed and set on fire at home

President Donald Trump

Donald Trump says he trusts Putin and that Russia should return to G7 - labelling Moscow's expulsion 'a mistake'

Kanye West, left, and Bianca Censori arrive at the 67th annual Grammy Awards on Sunday, Feb. 2, 2025, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

Kanye West and Bianca Censori 'split' days after Grammys scandal - as rapper releases bizarre message

Near-Earth asteroid, artwork

NASA scientist reveals list of countries that face being hit by huge 'city killer' asteroid the size of Big Ben

'Uncle Sam isn't Uncle Sucker,' US tells Nato - as Ukraine admits it 'won't accept' US-Russia deal without seat at table

'Uncle Sam isn't Uncle Sucker,' US tells Nato - as Zelenskyy says Trump-Putin deal to end war 'must involve Ukraine'

This illustrative image shows Russian President Vladimir Putin (left) and United States President Donald Trump (right).

Donald Trump is 'setting preconditions for withdrawing from NATO', his former advisor tells LBC

Semina Halliwell

Girl, 12, who died of overdose after reporting being raped was 'betrayed' by authorities, mother claims

Farishta Jami, 36, pictured, pledged allegiance to Islamic State and had a 'clear interest in the use of children in warfare'

British mother, 36, who tried to move family to Afghanistan to become ISIS martyrs found guilty of terror offences

Jaysley Beck, 19, was found dead at Larkhill Camp in Wiltshire

Soldier, 19, 'pinned down' by sergeant 'lost faith' after his only punishment was writing apology letter

Michael Steele, who was jailed for life in 1998 for the killings of Tony Tucker, Pat Tate and Craig Rolfe, can be released from prison, the Parole Board has said.

'Essex Boys' killer Michael Steele to be released from prison 27 years after triple gangland murders

Ukraine 'won't accept any agreements' between Trump and Putin to end war without being involved, says Zelenskyy

Ukraine 'won't accept any agreements' between Trump and Putin to end war without being involved, says Zelenskyy

Naya Rivera

Glee star Naya Rivera's heartbreaking final words to her son before she drowned revealed

Kanye West

There can be no debate about Kanye West - he clearly hates Jewish people and should be challenged on it

The young man was swallowed by a whale

Shocking moment whale swallows kayaker whole before spitting him back out