The council deputy leader and Conservative candidate for the GLA has called holiday adverts on public transport “insensitive”.

Cllr Dan Thomas has called on Transport for London to remove advertisements promoting northern Cyprus as a tourist destination.

Barnet Council deputy Cllr Thomas, who running for the GLA seat for Barnet and Camden, said the adverts on buses and at tube stations will offend Greek Cypriot Londoners, many of whom live in Barnet.

Cllr Thomas said, “Refugees who made London their home after the 1974 Turkish invasion of Cyprus will be looking at these adverts in disbelief. Transport for London should not be promoting an illegally occupied territory as a holiday destination.

“The adverts are insensitive and should be removed without delay. How would you like it if someone kicked you out of your home town then advertised it to the world as a place to go on holiday? The timing is also insensitive, when negotiations are taking place to reunify the island.”

A TfL spokesperson said: “Transport for London is aware of the sensitivities raised and advertising holidays in northern Cyprus on the network has been previously tested in the UK courts which ruled it was unlawful to remove these adverts. All advertising on our services is scrutinised by our advertising agency and it was decided the advert complied with our policy.”