Police called after vandals change Tory minister's advert to rude word

Vandals in Swindon have crudely changed a top Conservative politician’s billboard to display a vulgar rendering of his name.

Justice secretary Robert Buckland’s large election poster has been altered so the “B” in his surname was worn down to an “F”.

The large advertising board is positioned next to a road and drivers yesterday did not fail to notice the abusive adjustment.

Mr Buckland said: “I have been made aware of the vandalism of my election poster on Wootton Bassett Road in Swindon and have reported it to Wiltshire Police.”

He is the latest in a string of MPs and political candidates to have fallen victim to vandals.

Yesterday, ex-Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith posted pictures of graffiti at his local Conservative association in Chingford which said “Tory cuts kill”.

His Labour opponent for the seat condemned the graffiti and pointed out that she had been subjected to intimidation and threats too.

Labour MP Luke Pollard has been targeted by homophobic graffiti two times in as many months.

In October, Mr Buckland said he had been called a “traitor” by somebody in the House of Commons and stopped his speech to address the heckle.

Others present in the chamber said they had not heard the insult.

Last week’s ITV party leader debate between Boris Johnson and Jeremy Corbyn saw the pair shake hands as a gesture to “improve the nature of debate in this country”.

Mr Buckland has held the South Swindon seat since 2010, but after enjoying a majority of just under 6,000 in 2015 his lead was narrowed to just 2,000 in the 2017 general election.

He was appointed justice secretary and Lord Chancellor when Boris Johnson was became Prime Minister in July.