Bridgwater mayor apologises after rival edited from Remembrance photo

Summarised from 4 outlets · Updated 12 Nov, 12:28 · Archive

Bridgwater's Labour mayor apologised after posting a Remembrance Sunday photograph with a Conservative councillor edited out.

Leigh Redman, the Labour mayor of Bridgwater, posted a photograph from the town's Remembrance Sunday service on 8 November showing him holding a wreath. The image did not include Diogo Rodrigues, a Conservative councillor and leader of the opposition at Somerset Council, despite his presence at the event.

Rodrigues produced an earlier version of the same photograph in which he appeared clearly, standing between the mayor and his wife. Since Rodrigues was in the middle of the frame, the outlets report he could not have been removed by simple cropping, suggesting deliberate editing.

Rodrigues called the act "disrespectful" and "a complete disservice" to Remembrance and what it represents. He highlighted that he had volunteered for the Poppy Appeal that year, making the occasion particularly significant to him. He did not know who had edited the photograph but understood only Redman had access to the Bridgwater Town Mayor Facebook page where it was posted.

The edited image was also used in an official press release from Bridgwater Town Council. When Rodrigues questioned why he had been removed, the council said it was unaware the picture had been edited and updated the release with the original photograph.

Redman apologised for any offence caused but did not elaborate on who had edited the photo or why. He said he recognised the significance of Remembrance Sunday and hoped focus could return to honouring those remembered. Both men are Bridgwater town councillors and leaders of their respective party groups on Somerset Council, which has elections scheduled for next year.

How it is being reported

• Row erupts as councillor edited out of photo of town's Remembrance ParadeThe Mayor of Bridgwater has apologised after a Conservative councillor was removed from a photo of the Remembrance Sunday eventBridgwater Mercury · 12 Nov, 12:00
• Row erupts as councillor edited out of photo of town's Remembrance ParadeThe Mayor of Bridgwater has apologised after a Conservative councillor was removed from a photo of the Remembrance Sunday eventSomerset County Gazette · 12 Nov, 12:00
• Bridgwater mayor apologises after Remembrance photo 'erased' political rivalHe has said sorry for "any offence caused"SomersetLive · 11 Nov, 16:44
• Mayor sorry rival 'erased' from Remembrance photoA town mayor apologises after posting a photo of a Remembrance service which omitted a rival politician.BBC Somerset · 11 Nov, 16:03

In this story: Leigh Redman · Diogo Rodrigues · Bridgwater · Somerset Council · Bridgwater Town Council

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log