Manchester illustrator Stan Chow has announced he is taking legal advice following the unauthorized use of his artwork by the Conservative Party. The dispute centers on a portrait of Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, which the party utilized in its political materials. According to Chow, he was not approached for permission, nor was he compensated for the use of the illustration.

While the Conservative Party has not yet issued a formal public statement regarding the specific legal claims, the situation highlights ongoing tensions regarding intellectual property rights in political campaigning. Chow, known for his distinct minimalist style, has expressed concern over his work being associated with a political entity without his consent. The core of the disagreement rests on whether the party’s use of the image constitutes a copyright infringement or falls under fair use exceptions for political commentary. As of now, the artist is consulting with legal professionals to determine his next steps, while the Conservative Party has yet to clarify how the image was sourced or why the artist was not contacted prior to its publication.