Memorial to former Labour leader defaced with swastikas

Swastikas have been drawn on late Labour leader Michael Foot's memorial in Plymouth Credit: PA

Swastikas have been drawn on a stone memorial to the late former Labour leader Michael Foot.

The tribute, which was erected last year outside the house where the former parliamentarian was born, was also defaced with graffiti reading "BNP" and "EDL".

Michael Foot led the party from 1980 to 1983, and died in 2010 aged 96. The memorial, in Freedom Field Park in Plymouth, Devon, was funded by public donations

Luke Pollard, who stood as a Labour candidate in Plymouth at the 2015 general election, posted a picture of the damage on Facebook, writing: "Michael stood up against fascism and to see these symbols of hate on his memorial is sickening.

An MP from 1945 to 1992, first for 10 years after the Second World War in the Plymouth Devonport constituency, Michael Foot won the Blaenau Gwent seat in Wales in 1960 and held it for 32 years before standing down in 1992.

Michael Foot led the Labour party from 1980-1983 Credit: PA

The former journalist was employment secretary in the 1974-76 Labour government under Harold Wilson and went on to become leader of the Commons between 1976 and the 1979 general election.

In 1980 he became leader of his party, defeating Denis Healey, but led it to disastrous defeat at the 1983 election - with Labour's manifesto being dubbed the "longest suicide note in history".

He was succeeded as Labour leader by his prodigy and fellow Welshman Neil Kinnock.