Parents' disgust as Labour council hires actor in rainbow coloured monkey costume with fake penis and nipples to appear at library event encouraging children to read

Parents have voiced their disgust after a Labour council hired an actor in a rainbow-coloured monkey costume with a fake penis and nipples to appear at a library event for children. 

The Redbridge Libraries Summer Reading Challenge run by Redbridge Council in east London set up the event but the library has since apologised for the 'inappropriate' costume. 

A full investigation has also been launched by the council to get to the bottom of how taxpayers' money was used to hire the actors.  

Labour councillor Jas Athwal has apologised and tweeted: 'I was appalled by the incident in Redbridge Libraries on Saturday. 

'Completely inappropriate and deeply offensive performers were hired by independent contractor Vision who manage Redbridge libraries and leisure centres. 

The Redbridge Libraries Summer Reading Challenge run by Redbridge Council in east London set up the event but the library has since apologised for the 'inappropriate' costume

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'As soon as I was made aware of the performers, I immediately contacted Vision and the event was stopped. 

'I have launched a full and thorough investigation into how these performers were hired by Vision and will put stringent measures in place to ensure something like this can't happen again.'

Although the library has now apologised for the costumes they initially said, 'if you've got it, flaunt it,' on social media earlier in the day.  

A full investigation has also been launched by the council to get to the bottom of how taxpayers' money was used to hire the actors

MP for Ilnord North Wes Streeting has since said he is 'deeply concerned' by the events that took place on Saturday

According to The Sun, one parent said: “Someone needs to lose their job over this.”

And another said: “This is unbelievable. Have we completely lost our moral compass as a society?” 

MP for Ilnord North Wes Streeting has since said he is 'deeply concerned' by the events that took place on Saturday. 

And he has written a letter to Vision questioning how the company thought the costume was appropriate for 'family audiences around our libraries and public realm, let alone a festival aimed at promoting literacy amongst children.'