The use of an AI-generated image by a council deputy leader has been described as “fake news” and “inflammatory” by local councillors and an MP.
Durham County Council’s Reform deputy leader, Darren Grimes, admitted a photograph depicting a group of South Asian men in a housing estate, which he used in a blog about other councils “shipping” families to the region, was created using AI.
The authority’s Liberal Democrat opposition leader, Amanda Hopgood, said it was “nothing short of disgusting”. Green Party councillors claimed it had been aimed at sowing “racial hatred”.
Grimes said those criticising should focus on the county’s problems rather than “the use of AI to illustrate” them.
