Kapten tube poster: TfL sorry for 'sex assault joke' Tube ad Published duration 25 June 2019

image copyright @hansmollman image caption The advert was due to run for two weeks

Transport for London has apologised for a Tube advert that appeared to joke about sexual assault.

TfL said the posters for ride-hailing app Kapten had been approved in error and would now be removed.

The poster reads: "When you recognise your blind date from the news, get me out of here Kapten."

Green Party co-leader Sian Berry, who had called for the adverts to be taken down, said: "It's making a joke out of the serious issue of sexual assault."

Kapten apologised for any offence caused and said it will not use the poster in future campaigns.

"When we first received complaints on Friday we started taking down this ad on the same day. TfL then contacted us on Monday and we decided together to take it down everywhere in the TfL network", a spokesman said.

'Offensive, grim'

Mollie Goodfellow, who first complained about the advert, tweeted (using sarcasm): "It's funny because women might meet a murderer or rapist on a blind date and might need to escape to protect themselves."

Ms Berry responded: "I'm asking the Mayor how the hell that happened. It literally jumps at you with offensiveness and there are supposed to be checks. TfL themselves have good adverts on safe travel so how it was missed I don't know. Grim."

The advert had been planned to run for two weeks.

In a statement, TfL said: "This advertisement was approved in error and we apologise for any offence it has caused.

"We are working to ensure that it doesn't happen again.