MPs from both the main UK parties have denounced a banner that appeared on a footbridge in Salford prior to the Conservative party conference in Manchester.

One Conservative MP said the party’s conference was being targeted by “fascists” after pictures circulated on social media of a 10-metre wide banner reading: “Hang the Tories.”

Greater Manchester’s mayor, Andy Burnham, and local Labour MPs aso criticised the banner, which was strung across a footbridge along with two human effigies dangling by their necks below.

Greater Manchester police issued a statement saying they were made aware of the banner early on Saturday and officers had attended and removed it at 9.10am.

But “the two mannequins were not at the scene” when officers arrived.

“Following removal of the banner, police received a number of calls regarding the banner after people had seen the images which were on social media,” police said.

“We would like to reassure the public that any instances of inappropriate behaviour or material will be dealt with swiftly by our officers.”

Theresa May’s party was facing a weekend of protests in Manchester, with a national anti-austerity demonstration expected to attract thousands on Sunday and a cross-party pro-European rally due to be addressed by the Liberal Democrat leader, Sir Vince Cable, and a former Tory minister, Stephen Dorrell.

Delegates arriving at Manchester Piccadilly station on Saturday evening for the conference at the Manchester Central Convention Complex were greeted by an “unwelcome party” protest led by a choir singing anti-Tory songs.

It was not immediately clear who was responsible for the banner, which was ironically described as “charming” by Conservative MP Michael Fabricant.

“What a charming welcome to Manchester and the Conservative party conference,” said Fabricant. “These aren’t protesters, they’re fascists.”

Burnham and two Labour MPs – Lucy Powell of Manchester Central and Angela Rayner of Ashton-under-Lyne – were quick to distance the party from the “hang the Tories” message.

Burnham said of the banner: “This is just wrong. We will always protect the right to protest but never to threaten, abuse or incite violence. It should come down.”

Powell said: “On behalf of our city and my constituency, we’re sorry about this. We disagree with and are angry with your [the Tories’] policies but we wish you no harm.”



Rayner, the shadow education secretary, said: “This is disgusting and not the Manchester I know and love. Those [who] do this let Manchester down.”

There is no suggestion that the banner was linked to the protest being organised by the People’s Assembly Against Austerity, which is due to include speeches from actor Maxine Peake and musician Brian Eno, as well as a march outside the conference centre.

About 30 members of the Leeds-based leftwing Commoners’ Choir travelled to Manchester to take part in a “flashmob” protest at Piccadilly station.

They waved “Tories out” placards as they sang songs with lyrics including: “People often ask me what it is that makes me tick – it’s Boris Johnson’s head upon a stick” and “You’re nowhere if you believe Theresa May” – a reference to the PM’s attack on “citizens of nowhere”.

The choir’s songwriter, Boff Whalley, said: “It’s meant in fun but we’re trying to get a serious message across with a memorable tune.”

Speaking before Sunday’s pro-European rally, Cable said: “It is vital that we keep up the pressure on the government. The Conservatives are driving Britain over a cliff edge towards a reckless, extreme Brexit.”

Dorrell, a former health secretary and chair of the European Movement UK, said: “Democracy is a process, not an event. A healthy democracy is a dialogue in which all voices should be heard. And it must allow the voters to change their mind.”