Weymouth mayor slams fake Government covid poster at bus stop

The fake NHS poster - which is designed based on official national Covid health campaign posters but contains offensive language aimed at the government - was found on Monday morning at a bus stop on A354 in Buxton Road.

It was subsequently removed by Dorset Council later that day.

The poster on a Weymouth bus stop

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Weymouth mayor Graham Winter said the fake NHS poster was 'deplorable'.

He said: "It's totally offensive and I deplore this.

"It's insulting to those that have died with coronavirus.

"If people see this type of action, get in touch with the police and Dorset Council.

"Something like this should not be tolerated."

A person using the alias 'BOD' claimed to have installed the poster in response to the government's official campaign, which he claimed passed the blame on to the public.

The person said: "It's a shambolic government that has made ridiculous politically-based strategies in dealing with this pandemic, which have caused countless unnecessary deaths."

The bus stop on Buxton Road

Dorset Council confirmed the poster was removed at around 5pm on Monday evening.

A council spokeswoman said: "This is clearly a prankster’s idea of fun and not an official Government poster."

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A spokeswoman from NHS communications said because the poster is not material which belongs to the NHS they would not provide a comment on the matter.

Wyke Regis councillor, Lucy Hamilton, said: "I had to check the calendar in case it was an early April Fool's joke.

"The right action was taken by Dorset Council to remove it promptly.

"I'm grateful to the person who reported the offensive material."

Official NHS posters are currently on display at entrances to GP practices, community pharmacies, NHS premises and public locations to encourage people to adhere to coronavirus restrictions.