Redcar MP candidate speaks of his regret after posting crematorium selfie

A would-be Liberal Democrat MP has spoken of his regret after posting a selfie taken in front of a crematorium furnace on to a dating app.

Councillor Josh Mason was on a guided tour of Kirkleatham Memorial Park and Crematorium, near Yearby, Redcar, with the Bishop of Whitby when he took a snap.

The politician, who hopes to succeed fellow Lib Dem Ian Swales in the hotly-contested Redcar seat, posted the photo on Tinder in a move branded “disrespectful” by his opponents.

Josh Mason posts a selfie from Kirkleatham Crematorium

Now calls have been made for Mr Mason to apologise for the post, unearthed by the Political Scrapbook website.

In the picture Mr Mason, who is also deputy leader of Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council, can be seen in front of the opening where caskets are placed, near where people’s ashes come out after cremation.

Labour’s candidate for the Redcar seat, Anna Turley, said her opponent should apologise.

She said: “This is shocking and disrespectful.

“I am surprised that he would be so insensitive to families who have lost loved ones and show so little awareness of how his actions could offend.

“I think he should apologise.”

The new Kirkleatham Crematorium

Last night Mr Mason said he regretted any offence caused by the picture, but stopped short of saying sorry.

He said: “Being born and bred in Redcar and Cleveland, I imagine that one day Yearby Crematorium will be my own final destination.

“My visit there was a stark reminder of our shared mortality.

“Indeed, I have already said a last ‘goodbye’ to a number of family friends and colleagues there.

“Nevertheless, I deeply regret any offence I may have caused.”

Councillor Josh Mason

A spokesman for the crematorium said people are warned not to take pictures and that all visitors must treat the building with dignity and respect.

Around 400 people had been cremated there before Mr Swales officially opened the building last year, which is when the picture was taken.

The controversy comes as sitting MP Ian Swales prepares to stand down in May after polling a 5,214 majority in 2010 and ousting Labour’s Vera Baird.

Mr Mason works in Mr Swales’ office and has been selected to challenge for the constituency.

The controversy follows a turbulent period for Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council in which a number of Labour councillors were deselected and a Lib Dem/Independent alliance formed to become the majority group.