Gaffe as Wolverhampton MP's website features council logo in story attacking cuts
A Labour MP's office removed a graphic from his website after it appeared to show Wolverhampton council attacking the government over funding cuts.
Wolverhampton South West MP Rob Marris ran a story on his site under the heading: "Tory government hands hundreds of millions to their friends at the wealthiest councils – but continues to cut Wolverhampton City Council".
It featured Wolverhampton council's website address and official logo, as well as an image of a pensive-looking George Osborne next to a view of the city under the words: 'Tory government abandons Wolverhampton'.
But council bosses say neither the article or its associated image had anything to do with them. Wolverhampton council spokesman Paul Brown said the authority contacted Mr Marris' office when they were made aware of the issue on the morning of February 16.
The image was changed later in the day to one that contained no reference to Wolverhampton council.
Mr Marris said: "I take full responsibility for everything that goes on my website, but it is my office that deals with putting articles online.
"I am not aware of any images that were used but there was nothing sinister going on. "
The article criticised Chancellor George Osborne for showing 'blatant political favouritism' after a £300 million funding relief scheme was distributed primarily to Tory run councils.
He wrote: "Since 2010, central government has cut the funding for Wolverhampton Council more than almost anywhere in the country, but in spring 2015 the council is to receive nothing at all from the extra funds Mr Osborne has made available.
"Conversely, Surrey – one of England's wealthiest shire councils – will get an extra £24 million even though it has suffered far lower cuts than Wolverhampton since 2010.
"The background is that Conservative MPs became alarmed when they realised their areas might soon see cuts similar to those imposed on Labour-run councils.
"It was okay by them when it was just Labour councils but, as soon as it looked as if it would be Tory-run councils being cut as well, a revolt started.
"Talk about naked self-interest. So the Tory MPs threatened to vote down their government's planned cuts – whereupon the relevant Cabinet minister Mr Greg Clark MP suddenly announced that he'd secured a £300 million 'transitional grant' from Mr Osborne.
"The government refuses to say where the extra money will come from."
