A mayor in Alabama has died in an obvious suicide – days after a right-wing website printed photos of him sporting ladies’s garments and make-up.  

F.L. “Bubba” Copeland – who was additionally a pastor at a close-by church – fatally shot himself on Friday, in line with Sky’s US companion NBC News.

Mr Copeland had requested for the web site to not publish the images, nevertheless it refused and went forward with the story two days earlier than his loss of life.

He had been quoted as saying: “What I do in private life has nothing to do with what I do in my holy life.

“Does this have any impact on me being mayor, that I generally placed on a costume or generally placed on make-up? Does which have something to do in any way with me being mayor or being a pastor?”

The Conservative publication behind the story has been condemned by a Democratic senator within the state, who stated it was “sad and disgusting” how Mr Copeland had been handled.

“We live in a mean, bitter world where the self-righteous tend to throw the largest stones,” Doug Jones added in a press release.

“He was a good man and a great mayor who led the small town of Smith Station through the tough times of a devastating tornado a few years ago.”

An post-mortem is because of happen on Monday.

Anyone feeling emotionally distressed or suicidal can name Samaritans for assistance on 116 123 or e mail jo@samaritans.org within the UK. In the US, name the Samaritans department in your space or 1 (800) 273-TALK.