The Aporia · Artist 'taking legal advice' over Tories' use of Andy Burnham portrait

Artist Stanley Chow is seeking legal advice after accusing the Conservative Party of using his copyrighted cartoon portrait of Labour leader Andy Burnham at their conference in Birmingham without permission. The bottles, labeled "Bottler Burnham," were distributed to media attendees rather than sold. Chow also claims Reform UK used his image for a social media campaign earlier and notes that artists are increasingly vulnerable due to AI technology and the cost of living.

Written by AI on 2026-10-05, from this article's own text only (the story summary below draws on all the coverage).

Story summary

At the Conservative Party conference in Birmingham, attendees received water bottles labeled "0% strength" with the nickname "Bottler Burnham," mocking former Labour leader Andy Burnham. The image featured on these bottles was originally created by Manchester-based illustrator Stanley Chow for Burnham's 2021 mayoral campaign. Lucy Powell, Labour’s deputy leader, criticized the use of the cartoon, alleging copyright infringement. Chow confirmed he did not give permission to the Tories and stated he would seek legal advice over their unauthorized use of his artwork. The artist also accused Reform UK of similar copyright violation earlier this year. A Conservative Party spokesperson claimed the bottles were not for sale but merely distributed as conference giveaways.

Written for “Tories Use Art Without Consent” on 2026-11-04, grounded in this article and the 2 other(s) covering the same event.

📰 Tories Use Art Without Consent

Politics · 3 article(s) covering the same event. Compare every outlet's account →

This article reads unscored and hedges 0% of its claims. Each row says how that neighbour differs.

Artist calls in lawyers after Tories use his Burnham portrait without consent Same event

The Guardian

Hedges 2 of 22 claims Outlet record 66/100

Bit wet, Andy? Labour complains about Tories using cartoon image of 'bottler' Burnham for conference water merchandise Same event

Daily Mail

⚖️ Leans left Hedges 2 of 21 claims Outlet record 69/100

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Stewart Whittingham

4 article(s) here · 1 carrying a prediction

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🔮 Labour supporter Stanley Chow, who created the portrait for Burnham's 2021 mayoral campaign in Greater Manchester, has claimed the party did not ask for permission to use the image.

2026-10-05 · assertive framing · Artist 'taking legal advice' over Tories' use of Andy Burnham portrait

Also by Stewart Whittingham

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Nothing else under this byline is closely related to this article, so these are simply their most recent.

Labour supporter Stanley Chow, who created the portrait for Burnham's 2021 mayoral campaign in Greater Manchester, has claimed the party did not ask for permission to use the image.

framing: assertive · carried by 1 article(s) · first seen 2026-10-05

🔮 Labour supporter Stanley Chow, who created the portrait for Burnham's 2021 mayoral campaign in Greater Manchester, has claimed the party did not ask for permission to use the image.

2026-10-05 · BBC News

Artist 'taking legal advice' over Tories' use of Andy Burnham portrait · assertive framing

- Published An artist has said he is taking legal advice after accusing the Conservative Party of copying his cartoon image of Andy Burnham at their party conference. asserted

he → publish → conference

People attending the party's conference in Birmingham have been handed water bottles featuring the image and labelled "Bottler Burnham", "0% strength". asserted

People → attend → image

Labour supporter Stanley Chow, who created the portrait for Burnham's 2021 mayoral campaign in Greater Manchester, has claimed the party did not ask for permission to use the image. asserted

party → create → image

A Conservative Party spokeswoman said the bottles were were not on sale and merely handed out to attending media in "goody bags". asserted

bottles → say → bags

Manchester illustrator Chow said: "I was stunned and angry when I saw what they had done. asserted

they → say → what

I am taking legal advice. " asserted

I → take → advice

It's frustrating that an institution like the Conservative Party has no idea that they are infringing copyright." asserted

they → have → copyright

The artist claimed Reform UK had also infringed his copyright by using the image a few months ago in AI-generated social media campaign posts. asserted

UK → claim → posts

A Reform UK spokesman said at the time that it had "removed the posts in good faith and without any admission of liability on our part". asserted

it → say → part

Chow continued: "I can't quite believe the Tories are resorting to this too. " asserted

Tories → continue → this

Regardless of your political allegiance, what the Tories have done is still copyright infringement. asserted

done → do → what

"Ultimately, I want to raise awareness that you can't just take someone else's artwork and do what you want with it. asserted

you → want → it

"I want to show other artists that when this does happen, you can make a stand, especially in this day and age where artists are struggling, because of AI and the cost of living." asserted

artists → want → living

Manchester United fan Chow is best known as a football illustrator and has drawn Wayne Rooney, Edgar Davids and Ronaldinho. asserted

Chow → know → Rooney

He has also drawn Eric Cantona and presented a picture of Sir Alex Ferguson to to the former manager. asserted

He → draw → manager

You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230. asserted

You → send → 2230

Artist 'taking legal advice' over Tories' use of Andy Burnham portrait

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