West Midlands MEP Nikki Sinclaire has accused Birmingham City Council of breaching her human rights, after it removed posters she had placed opposing high speed rail.

Ms Sinclaire is considering legal action after the council’s decision to commission banners, at a cost of £2,250, with the slogan: “Birmingham City Council supports HS2” and placing them at several locations in the city.

The council has yet to formally back the project.

Ms Sinclaire then commissioned rival banners, with the slogan: “Nikki Sinclaire MEP says NO to HS2”. She then placed five of these next to the council’s banners in the city centre.

But the authority has had them removed. A city council spokesman said Ms Sinclaire did not have permission.

Ms Sinclaire said: “This breached of the European Convention on Human Rights, which guarantees freedom of expression.”