Councillor used picture of mass murderer Anders Breivik to promote Asda meal deal
The councillor claims he 'didn't know who he was', which locals refuse to believe.
A councillor has apologised after using a picture of a Norwegian mass murderer to promote an Asda meal deal.
Tom Maclean, a town councillor in Colwyn Bay, North Wales, posted a picture of Anders Breivik, who killed 77 people at a summer camp in 2011.
The far-right terrorist was edited to be holding an advert for the supermarket using a photo from his trial.
He was found guilty of mass murder, causing a fatal explosion and terrorism, and was sentenced to 21 years in prison.
Mr Maclean’s post has now led to calls for him to be sacked, but he claims he did not know who the ‘ghastly figure’ was.
In a Facebook post, he wrote: ‘I was highlighting the £1 meal deal for the over 60s which Asda are rolling out which I think is a good idea in these difficult times.
‘My post included a clip art frame, and it was subsequently brought to my attention it featured a person I have since been told is a pretty ghastly figure.
‘Naturally once I was made aware of this, I removed the post and I apologise for my mistake and any offence caused. In life, we live and we learn anew each day.’
But community groups refuse to believe the councillor’s excuse, and are still pushing for him to be sacked.
North Wales Life wrote: ‘It is quite clear Tom Maclean needs to step down as a councillor and from Theatre Colwyn and St Joseph’s food bank.
‘He claims he did not know who the mass murderer was, but someone so active only and politically would know, this is why no one believes him.’
Speaking to North Wales Live after making his apology, Mr Maclean said: ‘There was no one more mortified than I when it was brought to my attention that my post featured this despicable figure.
‘I have unreservedly apologised and I do so again now.
‘It was an honest genuine mistake which was mine and mine alone. Had I known beforehand that this notorious figure Breivik was in the clip art I used, naturally I would have never used it.’
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