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Manchester police apologise after tweeting picture of men dressed in Nazi SS uniforms

GMP said that the tweet was “unacceptable”.

GREATER MANCHESTER POLICE have issued an apology after a picture of two men dressed in Nazi SS uniforms was posted on its Twitter page.

The GMP traffic account tweeted a picture on Sunday evening of two men fully dressed in SS uniforms next to a German military Kubelwagen vehicle.

A caption went along with the picture, reading:

M62 J22 On the west Yorkshire border. These two likely lads trying to invade.

One Twitter user Shulem Stern – a member of the Hackney Orthodox Jewish community – responded to the image, saying that it was “not right”.

GMP responded by removing the image, saying that it was “unacceptable”.

The BBC reports that the men were returning from a World War II reenactment event when the picture was taken.

Speaking to the BBC, Stern said that “education was key” and that he did not think whoever posted the picture did it intentionally to cause offence.

Stern said:

“The Nazis rounded up millions of innocent people, including my great-grandfather, great-grandmother and their two young boys aged just two and six..they were taken to Auschwitz where they were murdered, simply because they were Jewish.”

To wear the SS uniform at a show about World War Two is one thing, but to dress like that in public, is likely to cause offence to any person who lost close relatives… as well as veterans and their relatives.

In a statement following the incident, a GMP spokesperson said that the matter had been referred “to GMP’s professional standards branch”.

“This post was deleted as soon as were made aware of it and we apologise for its content, as it was unacceptable,” the spokesperson said.

Read: Former SS guard, 95, jailed for five years over Auschwitz mass murders

Read: Right-wing Polish minister wants jail for anyone who calls Nazi death camps ‘Polish’

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    Mute Patric Juillet
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    Dec 17th 2012, 4:35 PM

    Excellent! I have family in France that wants to join me in Kerry after seeing Ireland on the telly. And I have to say that where I live is magical.

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    Mute Les Rock
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    Dec 17th 2012, 5:03 PM

    lucky man Patric you live in one of the most beautiful places in the world in my opinion

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    Mute David Linehan
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    Dec 17th 2012, 5:16 PM

    Total bolloxology. The gathering is nothing short of a disgrace. Thousands of Irish forced to leave this island every year and the government have the cheek to ask ex-pats / people of Irish descent to come back and get ripped off while spending money they and their family earned yonder due to Irish governments past failing them, the arrogance. Banana Republic

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    Mute Declan Noonan
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    Dec 17th 2012, 6:40 PM

    David, f*** off! This article is about tourism ireland winning a award. It’s great news!!!

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    Mute Ciaran Dillon
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    Dec 17th 2012, 10:32 PM

    David when do you leave?

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    Mute Creamy Hamstrings
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    Dec 17th 2012, 4:14 PM

    The gathering! Ha. I hope it falls flat on it’s stupid face!

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    Mute Sluazcanal
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    Dec 17th 2012, 4:40 PM

    Why would you? You are one of the more intelligent commenters on here, What gives?

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    Mute padraig
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    Dec 17th 2012, 9:22 PM

    I hope it does well, owning a holiday home and all. We can’t eat ourselves up with cynicism.

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    Mute Bobby Sebastian
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    Dec 17th 2012, 5:48 PM

    Thats cool

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    Mute Adam Walsh
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    Dec 17th 2012, 7:28 PM

    To many party poopers on here !

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    Mute FlopFlipU
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    Dec 17th 2012, 9:50 PM

    Where is this gathering ,what’s the Craig I want to go can I go can I can i I will be good

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    Mute Lou Brennan
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    Dec 18th 2012, 12:50 AM

    Come to Ireland, Most expensive and wettest country in Europe, but full of positive people who will love to mug you as much as they do there own. Hows that for a bit of reality? Can I have my award now.

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    Mute Nichola Ní Bhradáin
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    Dec 18th 2012, 3:03 AM

    So what’s the alternative? Tell people to stay away from Ireland, don’t bother coming or spending your money here? Give it to another country instead? Get behind your country and be proud of the good things we have to offer. There’s plenty if you care to look without cynicism.

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    Mute cooperguy
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    Dec 18th 2012, 9:26 AM

    Your so far off the mark it isn’t even funny. Dublin is ranked number 72 in world rankings of expensive cities. Behind a quite a few European cities http://www.finfacts.ie/costofliving.htm

    Seriously, if you hate living here so much just leave. The place will brighten up after you have taken your negativity with you.

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    Mute Garry Dempsey
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    Dec 18th 2012, 3:10 AM

    why would anyone come here on holiday when the weather is crap and its just so expensive I just dint get it

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