Tooting’s MP today branded posters issuing a Fatwa against Home Secretary Theresa May as “offensive, divisive and unlawful”.

His comments come after Wandsworth police confirmed officers were aware of the situation and working with the council to remove the signs.

The posters, which claim the Fatwa is “for the abduction, kidnapping and false imprisonment” of various radical clerics, were reported to Wandsworth Council yesterday morning after a concerned resident noticed they had been plastered on phone boxes and bus shelters in Tooting town centre, close to Tooting Broadway Tube station.

The town’s MP, Sadiq Khan, said: “I am disgusted to hear about these abhorrent posters defacing public property in Tooting. These are offensive, divisive and unlawful.

“Upon hearing of this disgraceful fly-posting I immediately contacted the borough commander of Wandsworth police to investigate the matter.

“Whoever is behind it should not only face the full extent of the law, but should also foot the bill for damage caused to public property and the cost of taking down these inflammatory posters.

“Tooting is a vibrant, diverse and welcoming place and I take very seriously any attempts by anyone who tries to destabilise our community.”

Chief Inspector Peter Turner, of Wandsworth police, said: “Police are aware of a number of posters in the Tooting area. Officers have liaised with the local authority re removal and enquiries are ongoing.”

A Fatwa is a term sometimes used to mean an Islamic death sentence imposed upon a person.

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