25/08/2008

Hindley Image In 2012 Games Promo Video 'In Poor Taste'

The London Mayor has condemned the use of a portrait of child murderer Myra Hindley in a promotional video shown in Beijing to showcase the London 2012 Olympics.

Boris Johnson said he was "deeply disturbed" by the image which had been shown in a three-minute video at London House in the Chinese city, and has asked for it not to be shown again.

A Downing Street spokesman also said the image was "in poor taste".

The artwork was seen very briefly during a segment of the video filmed in a gallery where it was on display at the time.

The overall film was intended to highlight the Capital's "rich cultural heritage" ahead of the 2012 games.

The Liberal Democrats have also said the decision to include the image in the video was a "regrettable choice".

Conservative MP Anne Widdecombe told the BBC this morning that she found it "extraordinary that if we're trying to promote Britain, we should do so with an image of a mass child murderer".

Visit London has described the reaction as "out of proportion" and the organisation said in a statement that Harvey's Hindley artwork appeared "fleetingly".

"The video is not for general public use and has been used many times over the last few years to show to the tourism trade.

"There has never been a complaint made about the video up until this point.

"However, if any offence has been caused, we will withdraw it from use with immediate effect."

Child killer Hindley, who died in 2002, was jailed in 1966 along with her partner Ian Brady for the murders of four children between 1963 and 1964.

(DS)

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