Someone's graffiti artist is another's "common scum" and "criminal". It is a similar to the debate in the 1980s about "freedom fighters" or "criminal thugs", names that included Robert Mugabe and Nelson Mandela. Take a look at the English article from the Sun www.thesun.co.uk/news/6569083/loughborough-junction-deaths-tfl-board-graffiti-artists-scum/
'COMMON SCUM' Ex-TFL chief brands ‘graffiti artists’ killed at Loughborough station ‘criminals’ – as pals pay tribute to ‘Three Musketeers’
Brian Cooke said the three men killed were 'common scum and criminals who cost the railway millions and keep fares high'
By Brittany Vonow
19th June 2018, 9:51 am
Updated: 19th June 2018, 11:16 am
AN ex-TfL boss today branded three suspected graffiti artists killed on train tracks "common scum" - as pals paid tribute to the "Three Musketeers".
Brian Cooke, a former Transport for London board member, called the men "criminals" as their nicknames were revealed as KBag, Trip and Lover.
Brian Cooke wrote a message on Twitter, saying the young men were 'criminals'
The three men, aged between 19 and 23, were found dead on tracks near Loughborough Junction yesterday morning.
Cops believe they may have been hit by a freight train as they spray-painted art on the railway line near Brixton in South London.
Today friends sprayed black hearts and RIP on the walls overlooking the train tracks.
It comes as Mr Cooke branded the men "common scum" and "criminals".
Three people died on Monday morning after being hit by a train at Loughborough Junction
Police are investigating the tragedy that claimed three lives
Writing about the tragedy, Mr Cooke wrote: "Why do @BBCNews @tomedwards keep referring to the guys killed at #LoughboroughJunction as graffiti 'artists'.
"They are no such thing they are common scum and criminals who cost the railway millions and keep fares high".
It has since been revealed Mr Cooke was suspended by the Tories this year for calling a rival a "two faced s***".
The tweet has since seen a huge backlash against the Tory Party supporter, with many lambasting him for the disrespectful social media message.
One person wrote: "What a horrible & disgraceful thing to say. They’re people’s sons, show some respect!"
Another added: "3 lives lost, undoubtedly a traumatised train driver... shame on you for such reckless and thoughtless comments and opinion on a tragedy spare a thought for their families before you type!"
A third said: "Three young people died this morning, have some respect man!!"
The tweet has sparked outrage online
Many were quick to hit back at the tweet posted by Brian Cooke, saying he had been disrespectful to the three men who were killed in the tragedy
Spray paint cans can be clearly seen in a bag of evidence removed from the scene
Fears have been sparked that the men had been sneaking onto the tracks overnight when they were killed
Police confirm three men in their 20s found dead at Loughborough Junction
Emergency services raced to the South London station after the three men, aged 19, 23 and 23, were killed
Brian has since made his Twitter account private.
It has since been revealed Mr Cooke was sacked as the head of London's travel watchdog for "inappropriate political activity".
The previously high-profile figure had issued a statement declaring his support for Boris Johnson in 2008.
He was also suspended as Tory chairman for Beckenham after he reportedly called a former Liberal Democrat mayor a "two faced s***".
British Transport Police are today continuing their probe into the deaths of the three men, including a 19-year-old and two 23-year-olds.
Police are yet to confirm why the men were on the South London tracks but it is has been reported spray cans were found near the bodies.
One friend, who did not want to be named, told the Sun Online he had got to know 19-year-old Trip through the graffiti scene.
He said: "He was a party guy, loved it.
"He was a kind, caring guy and was very artistic.
"He didn't mind a risk."
He said the young man had a love of photography, with friends "deeply saddened" by the teen's death.
The friend added: "He was too young to die."
Investigating officers were also seen taking photos of graffiti at the tracks - probing the street art as a possible "line of enquiry" into the "unexplained" deaths.
The investigation comes as fears mount the men could have been killed by a freight train in the early hours of Monday morning but were only found hours later at 7.30am on Monday.
Loughborough Junction station is in South London and is served by Thameslink
Police were seen inspecting the line after the bodies were found - having possibly been there for hours before their discovery
Cops carrying bags of evidence from the raised tracks in South London on Monday
A large scale investigation into the young men's deaths has been launched
The area is known to be popular with graffiti artists - the young men had spray cans found near their bodies
British Transport Police has not confirmed if the group were graffiti artists, but Superintendent Matt Allingham, BTP, said: "The bodies were discovered by a train driver.
"We know that they were dead for a while before we turned up.
"It was a possibility that it was during the hours of darkness - that's why it wasn't reported early on.
"We are still trying to identify the train that hit the individuals."
He added the layout of the tracks meant there wouldn't have been anywhere for them to go if a train came.
Police are also trying to figure out which train could have hit the men, with the track busy with rush hour trains and freight train convoys.
Supt Allingham asked for anyone who knew the men to come forward to help them with their inquiries.
