Labor continues ad campaign against Rishi Sunak despite backlash

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Labour published a third advertisement in a controversial series attacking Rishi Sunak for crime and punishment.

The campaign strategy provoked backlash from senior party officials, while Key figures in Sir Keir Starmer's shadow cabinet were reportedly left in the dark about the message, but Labor stood by its decision to release the posters.

The latest addition, published on Saturday, accused Mr Sunak of leaving thieves lightly and promoted Labor's proposal to increase police numbers.

(Labour)

His format followed that of previous advertisements, published on Thursdays and Fridays; with a photograph of the Prime Minister alongside the following text: “Do you think thieves should go to jail? This is not the case with Rishi Sunak."

Later on Saturday, reports emerged that Yvette Cooper, who as shadow interior secretary is responsible for Labour's public order policy, was not informed or consulted about the publication of the posters.

The Observer quoted Labor sources as saying Ms Cooper ‘had nothing to do with it.’ Another source claimed Sir Keir was unaware of the posters and would not generally be expected to endorse individual campaign material, said the newspaper added.

The former Labor home secretary earlier said he had been left "on the brink of despair" by the "deeply offensive" posters, which he said marked a descent into "gutter" politics.

In a Saturday's column, he wrote, "Once you resort to personal violence, you create the risk that Britain will talk audience will escalate even further – to the levels we've seen recently in the United States.

Some Labor frontbenchers have come to the defense of the ad campaign. Emily Thornberry, the shadow attorney general, said it was "legitimate" to question Mr Sunak's record on law and order.

Dismissing critics who have expressed their opposition to the approach, she said, "I think the truth is that we need to have a debate in this country, and Rishi Sunak is the first min...