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Former London mayor candidate condemned for sharing fake image of Sadiq Khan drowning
Labour's Sadiq Khan (right) is re-elected as the Mayor of London, at City Hall, London as Count Binface, Conservative party candidate Susan Hall and Liberal Democrat candidate Rob Blackie (second right) look on, May 4, 2024

DEFEATED London mayoral candidate Susan Hall has been condemned for sharing an AI-generated image of Sadiq Khan appearing to drown, with her post being called “disgusting and unacceptable.”

Ms Hall, who lost last year’s mayoral election to Mr Khan, reposted an image from a right-wing X user depicting the Labour mayor struggling in water with the caption: “What would you throw to save [him]?”

The 70-year-old Tory politician responded: “A Ulez camera [sic].”

Labour MP Neil Coyle said: “These comments from Susan Hall are a disgrace.

“Joking about someone drowning should be below any decent politician, from any party.

“I hope the chair of the Conservative Party will investigate these disgusting remarks and take appropriate action.”

Leonie Cooper, fellow member of the Greater London Authority (GLA), confirmed she had lodged a formal complaint with the GLA’s monitoring officer.

She said: “These comments and images are unacceptable and any politician should be able to see that.

“Political disagreements are vital to the democratic process.

“Democracy is all about the freedom to take different views and debate robustly against those with whom we disagree.

“But reposting, sharing and making jokes about AI-generated imagery which depicts violence against politicians is beyond the pale.

“I hope assembly member Susan Hall takes the opportunity to reflect and apologise.”

Ms Hall responded to the criticism by saying it was “meant as a light-hearted joke.”

The post came just days after the body of an 11-year-old girl was found in the River Thames after getting into trouble.

Ms Hall said: “I was responding to a joke on X — which is something I often do — clearly it bore no relation to any other news story.”

Neither the GLA nor the Conservative Party has commented.

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