Slough Conservatives have accused the Labour run borough council of 'exploiting' grieving friends and relatives barred from attending by funerals Covid rules.

But a leading Labour councillor has hit back.

The council announced last week that mourners not allowed by the rules to attend a service at Slough Crematorium or cemetery could have it recorded.

There would be a 'small charge' for the webcast which would be bookable through the family’s chosen funeral director.

In a statement last week Slough Conservative Association chairman Mherunisa Hussain said the council was expecting families to pay £40 to £55 view loved ones' funerals online.

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She said: "I am outraged on behalf of Slough residents that the council is attempting to profit from this, especially during a time of national crisis. I urge the Council to reconsider this exploitative and appalling policy immediately, without delay."

But council cabinet member Pavitar K Mann said it was wrong to suggest the council was profiteering and that the charge was simply to cover the cost to the council of offering the service - a charge that was comparable to the cost of streaming services at other crematoriums.

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She said: "Residents are welcome to stream services at no cost from their own personal devices and we are taking steps to make this as practicable and easy to do as possible – i.e. investing in mobile phone tripods.”