A councillor has apologised for accidentally posting an image of a notorious far-right terrorist to promote a supermarket meal deal.
Independent councillor Tom Maclean, who stands in Colwyn Bay in North Wales, posted the doctored image of Norwegian mass murder Anders Breivik appearing to hold an advert for the Asda offer. The original photo was taken when Breivik was on trial over the attacks he carried out in Norway in 2011 where 77 people were killed.
Breivik was later found guilty of mass murder, causing a fatal explosion, and terrorism. Cllr Maclean's post sparked immediate backlash with calls for him to be relieved of his duties.
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NorthWalesLive reported Cllr Maclean later admitted he hadn't realised the image featured a "pretty ghastly figure" and apologised for any offence caused. The councillor said in a social media post: "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.
"I believe some other supermarkets may be offering something similar. My post included a clip art frame which it was subsequently brought to my attention 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 at once and I apologise for my mistake and any offence caused. In life, we live and we learn anew each day. I am very grateful indeed to those who let me know about the clip art.
"Once again I apologise for my error. Have a joyous day one and all."
Breivik killed eight people with a car bomb in Oslo in July 2011, before shooting dead 69 people, many of whom were teenagers, at a summer youth camp. He was jailed for a maximum of 21 years but applied for parole earlier this year.
During an hour-long speech at the hearing, in which Breivik flashed a Nazi salute, he said he had put violence behind him, offering to give up far-right politics and live abroad if he were released. In its ruling, the court in Telemark in south-east Norway said that it did not trust Breivik's claim that even though his ideology had not changed he would now only promote it through peaceful means.
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