A former TfL board member from Beckenham has faced a fierce backlash after calling three suspected graffiti artists found dead on train tracks "common scum".

The bodies of the men, one aged 19 and the other two 23, were found on Monday morning at Loughborough Junction.

Why the trio were on the railway tracks when they were hit by a train is still being investigated, but several spray cans were seen being taken away in police evidence bags.

The three men also appear to have been named on social media by the local graffiti community with their tags - K-Bag, Trip and Lover.

Brian Cooke, a suspended Beckenham Town Conservative chairman, wrote on Twitter the men were not graffiti artists but “common scum and criminals who cost the railway millions and keep fares high”.

Mr Cooke also endured criticism last month after saying Liberal Democrats should be “exterminated” in a Twitter post.

An investigation was launched after the tweet and other Conservative councillors and MPs openly criticised their colleague.

Conservative councillor Gareth Allatt branded the comments “not just offensive but downright unacceptable”.

He was later suspended as chairman of the Beckenham Town Conservatives for his tweet.

Speaking about Mr Cooke’s most recent Twitter controversy, LibDem Rich Wilsher said: “Three families have just received the worst news they’ll ever receive, the loss of these three young men is a terrible, terrible tragedy.

“Mr Cooke’s comments are disgusting and show that he does not possess a shred of human decency.”

News Shopper has contacted Mr Cooke for comment.

READ MORE - Beckenham Tory chairman Brian Cooke suspended pending investigation