Redbridge Council has removed a plaque honouring Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein that mysteriously appeared over the weekend on a bench in Wanstead High Street.

Ilford Recorder: The bench in Wanstead High Street bears a plaque reading In Loving Memory of Saddam Hussein 1937-2006'The bench in Wanstead High Street bears a plaque reading In Loving Memory of Saddam Hussein 1937-2006' (Image: Archant)

The plaque was put up at some time over the weekend outside of the Oxfam shop in High Street, but the council confirmed workers had removed it this afternoon (Monday, November 19).

Ilford Recorder: The bench in Wanstead High Street bears a plaque reading In Loving Memory of Saddam Hussein 1937-2006'The bench in Wanstead High Street bears a plaque reading In Loving Memory of Saddam Hussein 1937-2006' (Image: Archant)

It read: “In loving memory of Saddam Hussein - 1937-2006” - and residents had a mixed reaction to it online, some finding it funny while others took offence.

Ilford Recorder: The bench that had a plaque in memory of former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein has now been removed. Photo: US Department of Defense / PA.The bench that had a plaque in memory of former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein has now been removed. Photo: US Department of Defense / PA. (Image: PA Archive/PA Images)

The council confirmed to the Recorder that the plaque has now been removed, and that it didn’t give permission for it in the first place.

Ilford Recorder: The bench in Wanstead High Street bears a plaque reading In Loving Memory of Saddam Hussein 1937-2006'The bench in Wanstead High Street bears a plaque reading In Loving Memory of Saddam Hussein 1937-2006' (Image: Archant)

Hussein was executed in 2006 after he was convicted by an Iraqi court of crimes against humanity related to the 1982 killing of 148 Iraqi Shi’a, and sentenced to death by hanging. He was executed on December 30, 2006.

Ilford Recorder: The bench in Wanstead High Street bears a plaque reading In Loving Memory of Saddam Hussein 1937-2006'The bench in Wanstead High Street bears a plaque reading In Loving Memory of Saddam Hussein 1937-2006' (Image: Archant)