A van carrying a poster claiming that “a vote for Labour is a vote for genocide” has been seen in east London.

The van was parked on Columbia Road, in the constituency of Bethnal Green and Stepney, where Rushanara Ali is standing for Labour.

The electronic poster, seemingly referring to the war in Gaza, read: “A vote for Labour is a vote for genocide. #GetRushanaraOut.” In the top corner was a crossed-out Labour logo.

Video showed that a small crowd had gathered and a policeman was seen to be monitoring the van, which then drove off. It is not known who was behind the advert.

Bethnal Green and Stepney has a high percentage of Muslim voters. Ms Ali had a very large majority in Bethnal Green and Bow, its predecessor constituency. As well as the main parties, she is being challenged by a number of independents.

In 2005, Labour’s Oona King was defeated by George Galloway, who stood for the Respect party, in Bethnal Green and Bow.

Earlier this week, a complaint was made to police when a boat with pro-Reform UK slogans was left near Sir Keir Starmer’s home.