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GRAVE SHAME

Memorial to former Labour leader Michael Foot vandalised with swastikas and extremist language

Labour figures speak of 'disgust' as the stone outside late politician's childhood Plymouth home is daubed in abuse

SICK neo-Nazi thugs have daubed swastikas on a memorial to ex-Labour leader Michael Foot.

The stone in Plymouth’s Freedom Field Park was also smeared with references to far-right groups the British National Party and the English Defence League.

Michael Foot's memorial stone was daubed with sick far-right graffiti outside the Plymouth home where he was born in 1913
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Michael Foot's memorial stone was daubed with sick far-right graffiti outside the Plymouth home where he was born in 1913Credit: Twitter
Labour figures spoke of their "disgust" at the vandalism of the publicly-funded stone in Plymouth's Freedom Field Park
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Labour figures spoke of their "disgust" at the vandalism of the publicly-funded stone in Plymouth's Freedom Field ParkCredit: Twitter
The politician died in 2010 aged 96. He had retired from front line politics when he stepped down as an MP in 1992
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The politician died in 2010 aged 96. He had retired from front line politics when he stepped down as an MP in 1992Credit: PA:Press Association

Funded through public donations, the stone stands next to the house where the late politician was born in 1913.

Former Labour spin doctor Alastair Campbell spoke of his “disgust” at the vandalism.

He tweeted: “This is disgusting beyond belief. Michael was a great man and a good friend. This strikes at everything he stood for.”

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Luke Pollard, who stood as a Labour candidate in Plymouth at last year’s General Election wrote on Facebook: “Michael stood up against fascism and to see these symbols of hate on his memorial is sickening.

“I was proud to be one of the organisers of the appeal for a lasting memorial to Michael and I know from the tweets, messages and conversations how important it is to so many people in Plymouth.

“We live in toxic times which means it is even more important we stand up for what is right. Taking a stand against hate is in all of us. Nazi graffiti is unacceptable wherever it may be.”

He had served as an MP almost continually from 1945 through to his retirement, barring a short time away from Westminster between 1955 and 1960
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He had served as an MP almost continually from 1945 through to his retirement, barring a short time away from Westminster between 1955 and 1960Credit: PA:Press Association
Foot served as Leader of the Opposition between 1980 and 1983, stepping down following Labour's humiliating defeat at the 1983 General Election
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Foot served as Leader of the Opposition between 1980 and 1983, stepping down following Labour's humiliating defeat at the 1983 General ElectionCredit: PA:Press Association

Foot died in 2010 aged 96 having served as a Labour politician almost continually between 1945 and 1992.

He led the party in opposition from 1980 to 1983 before being succeeded by Neil Kinnock.

His manifesto for Labour’s disastrous 1983 election campaign was later described as “the longest suicide note in history”.

A young Michael Foot studied Philosophy, Politics and Economics and Oxford
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A young Michael Foot studied Philosophy, Politics and Economics and OxfordCredit: Richard Lappas
A lifelong Plymouth Argyle fan, Foot's coffin was adorned with a Pilgrims' scarf at his funeral in 2010
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A lifelong Plymouth Argyle fan, Foot's coffin was adorned with a Pilgrims' scarf at his funeral in 2010Credit: PA:Press Association

Born in the Devon city, Foot served the Plymouth Devonport constituency between 1945 and 1955 and was Plymouth Argyle’s most high-profile fan.

He once pledged not to die until he had seen his beloved Argyle play in the Premier League.

Foot went on to serve the Welsh seat of Blaenau Gwent for 32 years before stepping down from parliament in 1992.

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