Graffiti wasn’t council funded

The mural on the changing rooms at the Levellings playing field showed wanted war criminal Joseph Kony and his child soldiers toting large guns.

It was commissioned by Coun Dobbie to highlight the Kony 2012 campaign, which aimed to raise awareness of the plight of children recruited into Kony’s Ugandan regime.

“We would like to make clear that West Lindsey District Council has not received a bid from Coun Dobbie to use his councillor initiative fund for this purpose,” a spokesman told the Standard.

“Considering the nature of the artwork it is unlikely any such bid would be successful.”

Coun Dobbie confirmed that while he had intended to pay for the artists’ materials using the fund, he had decided against it.

“I have not at present used my councillor initiative fund to pay for the work. Neither have I put an application to use it,” said Coun Dobbie.

Under the Local Councillor Initiative Fund scheme, each district councillor may put forward proposals for funding in their ward, on projects and initiatives which benefit the local community.

Coun Dobbie added: “I have got a month to pay the invoice and I am thinking now of paying for it out of my own pocket.”

The Standard understands the cost of the work came to around £60.

Meanwhile, the local community have taken matters into their own hands and covered up the mural.

Black paint was used to wipe out the images and a mysterious message in white read: “The Walrus + co cares”.