Social media backlash as Mansfield MP Ben Bradley asks for voluntary video editor

Mansfield's MP has come under fire on social media after asking for a video editor to work for free.

The post on Mr Bradley's Facebook account said: "I'm after a talented video editor who can put me together a really good short film.

"My team are looking for some help on a voluntary basis from someone with with the digital skills to make something really slick and engaging."

After receiving backlash in the comments, Mr Bradley updated the post and said: "It's not slavery, if you don't want to do it, don't do it.

"No doubt you'd equally be moaning if I claimed expenses for a promotional video, and rightly so because it's not my money.

"I think the "outrage" below is is a little dramatic, to say the least.

The post has since been deleted from his Facebook page, after an account by the name of ‘The Red Roar’ tweeted the original advert.

The Mansfield Labour twitter account said: "He can afford to pay a few quid out of his own pocket, especially as he's asking for someone who will need a good level of expertise"

The Guardian Columnist Dawn Foster tweeted: "Huge fan of Big Ben Bradley's existential meltdown at the idea people might want payment in exchange for labour."

Graduate careers website Graduate Fog tweeted: "Dear Ben Bradley MP, we're not impressed about the unpaid video editor job you advertised last week. But we're even more concerned about your aggressive response to those who questioned it. Do you have a comment to make?"

And George Eaton, political editor of the New Statesman magazine tweeted: "This is also the same Ben Bradley MP who suggested in 2012 that a "vast sea of unemployed wasters” should be sterilised."

In the wake of the backlash, London based professional video editor Ewan Michael Riley (@ewanmriley)‏ made a video in response to Mr Bradley, featuring headlines of Mr Bradley's previous controversies.

Mr Riley said: "Ben Bradley MP wanted a ‘slick and engaging’ promotional film made for him free of charge. So I made one."

Mr Bradley's Titter account now appears to have been deleted.

Mr Bradley said: "This has been totally misconstrued by all involved.

"It’s not a ‘role’ at all, I’m not advertising a job, I literally just asked if anyone was able to help me out with a video for a few hours.

"The backlash has been utterly ridiculous, to be blunt, but I have had close to 20 people come forward offering to help."