Polling day in Peterborough has brought fresh controversy after campaign posters still displaying suspended candidate Ishfaq Hussain as the Conservative choice were found across the city today — despite the party officially withdrawing support weeks ago.
The posters, photographed by CambsNews today (Thursday) remain prominently displayed less than a mile from Conservative Party headquarters in Peterborough.
Hussain was suspended by the Conservatives in April following reports of offensive historic social media posts, including allegations involving antisemitic language and comments previously criticised by Jewish groups.
Despite the suspension, election timetable rules mean his name still appears on the ballot paper for Dogsthorpe ward under the Conservative label.
Now, on polling day itself, voters are still being greeted by campaign posters branding Hussain as the Conservative candidate — with no indication that the party cut ties with his campaign.
The controversy erupted after reports highlighted several historic social media posts attributed to Hussain, including use of the term “Zio”, widely regarded as an antisemitic slur.
The Conservative Party confirmed at the time that support had been withdrawn immediately pending an investigation.
A party spokesperson previously said: “These apparent comments are wholly unacceptable, and this individual has been suspended from the Conservative Party pending an investigation.”
The row has added another twist to an already unusual contest in Dogsthorpe, where six candidates are standing.
Alongside Hussain, voters can choose between Reform UK’s Bryan Tyler — himself a former Conservative councillor — independent candidate and Compas Charity CEO Petr Torak, Labour’s Mohammed Haseeb, Green candidate Pip Gardner and Liberal Democrat Sandra Ringler.
But with posters still standing on polling day, questions are likely to remain over whether enough was done to clarify Hussain’s status to voters before they headed to the polls.
