A FURIOUS row has broken out over claims that litter pickers fabricated their work by using fake bags of rubbish.

Since last year, independent councillors and candidates have been arranging and promoting litter picks at sites across Middlesbrough.

But an argument has broken out after a Labour councillor accused the independents of using “fake bags of litter” for photos on social media pages.

Following a Labour-led litter pick, Matt Storey, Labour councillor for Central ward, posted pictures of his party colleagues gathering rubbish in the town.

The Northern Echo:

The caption read: “Great example of real community action from local Labour candidates.

“No fake bags of litter here. We do this properly. Real work in our local area.”

It was a statement that infuriated litter-picking regular Carolyn Dodds, who is standing for election as an independent candidate in Trimdon.

“This is because we are litter picking in Labour wards and showing them up, so now they’ve decided to do it as well,” she said.

“I am furious at his statement.

“This is a community building project. Labour councillor Nicky Walker was present at the pick in Hemlington. Ask her if any fake bags were present.

“We’ve never had a fake bag of litter. Why would we? What would be the point?

“One of our biggest picks was at Tollesby – we ended up with 60 bags.

“Three people from that area have continued to come with my group ever since.

“There’s nothing wrong with what we’re doing.”

Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, Cllr Storey said: “My understanding is that the amount of litter in some of the photographs was not representative of the state of the park at that time.”

He added: “My understanding is that some of the bags in the photos were from the bins in the park.”

He continued: “What I’m not doing is telling people they shouldn’t be out there doing litter picks and things like that.

“I would welcome any community groups that want to help in their wards – it’s really important that people get out into their community.

“The point I was trying to make is that those parks weren’t anywhere near as messy as would be suggested in the photographs.

“I know how hard our officers work, especially those who keep our parks neat and tidy every single day.

“So it must be demoralising for our officers who work so hard all year to have these kinds of messages put out there.

“People need to be fair when they are putting out their materials.”

The latest spat over litter picking comes after another row earlier this year.

In February, Cllr Denise Rooney, the Labour executive member for environment and commercial services, tweeted that she was “perplexed” as to why Albert Park had been chosen for one of the independent litter picks.

She said: “Middlesbrough Council employs dedicated park rangers whose job it is to pick litter up each day and inspect the park for any works or disrepair that may need to be actioned.

“The assertion on social media that we are not looking after our parks due to budget cuts is completely wrong and I suspect a mischievous attempt to put out false information.”

She added that she, other councillors and area care managers had found the park to be “totally litter free” when they visited.

One of the independent litter pick organisers said the planned Albert Park collection had to be cancelled after it emerged that council officers had cleaned up the park prior to the arranged date.

The collection was rearranged to take place in Stewart Park, in Marton, instead.