This article contains an image that some readers may find distressing.
Labour campaigners are demanding party chiefs block a Jeremy Corbyn ally as an election candidate after it emerged she shared an image of Theresa May at gunpoint.
Kate Osborne, who is expected to be parachuted into the safe seat of Jarrow, has apologised for posting the “appalling” image on Facebook during the 2017 general election campaign.
It depicts the former prime minister wincing while being threatened with a weapon to stop saying the words “strong and stable”.
A list of ex-MPs campaigning for re-election have written to the party’s ruling National Executive Committee demanding action.
It reads: “The impact of such images are clear - they incite intimidation and violence against female politicians.
“Many of our Labour colleagues - and indeed politicians from all political parties - have been subject to similar disturbing content online. When women in public life are facing unacceptable levels of intimidation, sharing this image not only indicates an extreme lack of judgement, but further feeds into the cycle of abuse that we are all currently experiencing.
“If Kate Osborne is selected, it would undermine any claim our party makes to stand resolutely against the harassment and intimidation of women in public life. There is a danger of a pattern that affects our general election campaign with candidates that have been selected having abusive social media comments. This is not simply about one seat but about winning a Labour government, and not having candidates selected whose social media history will derail the campaign for all of us when we have a wealth of talent in our half a million members.”
Among the 27 ex-MPs who have signed the letter is Tracy Brabin, who is campaigning for re-election in Batley and Spen, the constituency where Jo Cox was murdered by a far right terrorist.
Yvette Cooper, Stella Creasy, Rosie Duffield, Jess Phillips, Bridget Phillipson, Lucy Powell and Rosie Winterton are among the others to sign the letter.
Shadow Education Secretary Angela Rayner has also condemned the post, calling it “totally unacceptable”.
“As somebody who has faced a level of abuse and death threats as a politician, I think a lot of people out there really don’t see vitriol and nastiness that is online pointed at politicians at the moment, I think it is totally unacceptable to share images like that,” she said.
Asked whether Osborne should stand down, she said: “It’s not a matter for me whether that happens, it would be the NEC that looks at that.”
Osborne said she believed the “film parody poster” was “making light of Theresa May’s forced and robotic statements” during the campaign.
HuffPost UK understands a number of activists and ex-MPs campaigning for-re-election have approached the party’s general secretary Jennie Formby about the issue and that names are being collected for a joint letter.
Osborne, who is a member of Unite the union’s executive council, is thought to have the backing of senior Labour figures close to the leader.
The North Tyneside councillor had hoped to be selected in Blyth Valley but was defeated by rival Susan Dungworth.
One female former MP canvassing for re-election said: “It is deeply concerning that a potential Labour candidate would share such an appalling and offensive image.
“Many of us are facing daily abuse and intimidation online and have been victims of images such as the one she has apparently shared. Our party must take a stand against this kind of behaviour.”
Jarrow had previously been held by Stephen Hepburn, but the ex-MP is the subject of a sex harassment complaint and was removed from the role earlier this month.
A Labour source told HuffPost UK said the image raised questions about Osborne’s “mindset and suitability” to be an MP.
They added: “Unite seem hell bent on helping key allies find a safe seat, but at what cost to the Labour Party’s reputation? We can hardly castigate the Tories one minute and then turn a blind eye the other.
“There is a huge difference between a gaffe and having a pretty warped view of the world.
“In a climate when women in public office are facing death threats and a Labour MP was assassinated just three years ago, you would hope and expect that a woman trade union official would recognise how chilling this image is. Kate Osborne should have condemned it, never mind shared it.
“This isn’t just an issue of her political judgement, it raises real questions about her mindset and suitability to be an MP.”
Osborne told HuffPost she apologised “unreservedly” for the post, adding: “I shared an image on social media of a film parody poster making light of Theresa May’s forced and robotic statements about her ‘strong and stable government’ in the run up to the 2017 general election.
“I unreservedly apologise for having shared this image. As a woman, I am extremely concerned about the abuse and threats that women in politics face and if elected I will work with colleagues to challenge misogyny, hate and division in politics and beyond.”