‘Hangings’ near party conference

POLICE last night launched an investigation into a banner calling for the deaths of Conservatives near the site of the party conference.

Two effigies in nooses were placed beneath the message, draped on a bridge in Salford.

It read: ‘130,000 killed under Tory rule. Time to level the playing field.’

The Institute for Public Policy Research estimated austerity caused 130,000 deaths in England between 2012 and 2017.

Conservative councillor Kerry Boyd tweeted: ‘Does this classify as death/terrorist threat? Utterly vile.’

Salford Council has since removed the banner.

Manchester’s Labour mayor Andy Burnham described the sign as ‘unacceptable’.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock said: ‘Threats of violence against public figures are not acceptable.’

A Greater Manchester Police spokesman confirmed the force was investigating.