A LABOUR councillor has been blasted as “tasteless” after appearing to revel in the death of Baroness Thatcher.

Cllr Ben Grower, leader of the Labour group and a former Mayor of Bournemouth, emailed all councillors following the former Conservative Prime Minister's funeral and said: “Well, that is the end of a perfect day. One last glass of champagne and a long-time aspiration achieved.”

He has been criticised by councillors of other political parties but when asked about the email, he said only: “I just had a very nice day and I was enjoying myself in the evening. I email councillors about all sorts of things, I thought they would like to know that I was having a good time.”

Independent councillor Ron Whittaker, a friend of Cllr Grower, said: “It's tasteless. Whatever one thinks, you don't go making those sort of comments. We all accept she certainly did divide the country and I've got my own personal views but I keep them to myself.

“He should have shown a bit more restraint and respect. I'm disappointed because he's a great friend and a great councillor.”

Cllr Andrew Morgan, chair of Bournemouth West Conservative Association, travelled to London for the funeral.

He said: “I just thought it was very disappointing to say something so negative on the day that an elderly woman was being buried. Whatever your views of her, she was still a human being being buried. To celebrate with champagne and to take the trouble to tell 53 other councillors you were doing it seemed to be in extremely bad taste.”

His views were echoed by Cllr Rob Lawton, chair of Bournemouth East Conservatives, and Liberal Democrat leader Cllr Carol Ainge, b oth of whom said it was “tasteless”.