A TORY councillor has apologised after coming under fire for a tweet taunting a Labour candidate who was raising thousands by parachuting in Normandy.

Southchurch councillor Daniel Nelson posted on X - formerly known as Twitter - on Saturday asking if Labour candidate for Southend East and Rochford, Bayo Alaba, was “still in France”. 

At the time Mr Alaba, who is a former paratrooper, had been in France parachuting alongside other veterans in a fundraiser for the Royal British Legion and mental health charities.

In the tweet, which has since been deleted, Mr Nelson said he had been on a “fantastic door knocking session” with Tory candidate Gavin Haran, before adding “Is the Labour candidate still in France?”.

Military – Bayo Alaba is a former paratrooperMilitary – Bayo Alaba is a former paratrooper (Image: Freelancer)

Mr Nelson’s post provoked a social media onslaught, including a response from deputy leader of the Labour party Angela Rayner who accused the Tories of “smearing” Mr Alaba. 

She said: “Tories smearing Bayo Alaba, Labour’s candidate for Southend for visiting France? We see you.

"He was parachuting into Normandy as part of the 80th anniversary of D-Day, to raise money for the Royal British Legion and Trust Links charities.

"We’re proud of him.”

Ms Rayner’s smearing claim sparked a response from Southend Conservative leader, Tony Cox, who accused her of failing to pay to visit the city’s pier in a recent visit.

However, Labour leader Daniel Cowan insisted payment was made in full.

On Saturday afternoon Mr Nelson said the Labour candidate’s decision to be in France had his “absolute support.”

Climbdown – Dan Nelson apologised to Bayo Alaba and said he supported his decision to go to FranceClimbdown – Dan Nelson apologised to Bayo Alaba and said he supported his decision to go to France (Image: Southend Council)

He wrote: “I wholeheartedly apologise to Bayo Alaba.

"I absolutely support his decision to be in France.

"As a brother of a serving member of the Armed Forces I understand the sacrifice of our veterans and would never want to disrespect that in any way.”

Mr Nelson then added a link to Mr Alaba’s fundraiser, which has now raised £10,000, and made a donation.

Mr Alaba chose not to comment on the X spat but tweeted following the completion of the parachute jump on Saturday. 

He said: “This was a small homage to our forebears who have everything for us on those beaches 80 years ago.”

The candidates for Southend East and Rochford are Bayo Alaba (Lab), Gavin Haran (Con), Lee Clark (Confelicity), James Allen (Lib Dem), Simon Cross (Greens), Leslie Lilley (Reform UK), and Bianca Eleanor (Heritage).