George Galloway agrees to take giant election banner down over wind fears
George Galloway has backed down in his battle to keep a giant election banner up in West Bromwich, agreeing to take it down over fears it could present a danger to drivers on the M5.
The huge poster, decked out in West Bromwich Albion colours, was put up overlooking the motorway urging people to vote for the firebrand politician.
Mr Galloway is standing as an Independent in West Bromwich East and hoping to take the seat formerly held by Tom Watson.
A row erupted between Mr Galloway and Sandwell Council after the local authority ordered him to take it down from the former Kenrick building as banners cannot be placed on listed properties without permission.
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That led to the former Respect Party leader accusing the Labour-run council of "mafioso tactics" and meddling in the election - something the authority denied.
But Mr Galloway, who was kicked out of Labour in 2003 for comments on the Iraq war, has now backed down and agreed to remove the banner, admitting high winds could present a risk to motorists.
Sandwell Council said took action after the banner began to become loose and there were fears about it potentially dropping onto vehicles below.
He tweeted: "Due to high winds and the subsequent possible risk to M5 travellers I have today agreed with Sandwell Council officials to take the country’s biggest banner down immediately."
A Sandwell Council spokeswoman said: “Safety concerns about the banner were reported to us as it had come loose from its fixtures in strong winds.
“With the banner being so close to the motorway, we felt it important to remove it as soon as we were made aware of the problem.
“We have now removed the banner as there was a danger it could come loose further."
The entry of Mr Galloway has made the battle for the West Bromwich East seat more interesting.
His initial aim was to dethrone Tom Watson, who had held the seat since 2001 but announced last month he would not be standing for re-election.
It means the constituency is guaranteed a new MP. Labour will still be favourites to hold the seat in an area where there are no Conservative councillors but the presence of Mr Galloway, who has been campaigning hard, as well the Brexit Party's Christian Lucas promises to spice things up.
Ibrahim Dogus is standing for Labour and Nicola Richards for the Tories.
