TORY councillors have been criticised after they were photographed tucking into a buffet after cheerfully cutting a ribbon at a foodbank opening in Kent.

Dartford Conservatives were guests of honour at the launch of a new facility for families who must queue for handouts to put food on their tables.

Images show Dartford Mayor Rosanna Currans and other senior guests laughing at the ribbon-cutting before enjoying a spread of cakes and sandwiches.

Council leader Jeremy Kite was among those crowded around the buffet.

He defended the behaviour on LBC, insisting that he was “trying to do the right thing.”

Pictures of the event were quickly deleted from the mayor’s Facebook page after they triggered a backlash.

Labour councillor candidate in Bexley Nicholas Hair said: “With up to two million people across the country facing destitution right now, this is disgusting to see.

“Foodbanks are not ‘heart-warming,’ they are evidence of a failure of government and of society to seek social justice.”