The family of the late Senator John McCain have criticized the Republican Party’s use of his image in new propaganda ads attacking Democrat rivals.

The political attack adverts, paid for by the National Republican Congressional Committee, were released yesterday.

Around 12 videos were released as part of the push to help Republicans running for US House seats.

McCain is featured in two clips, in one he is seen criticizing Democrat Ann Kirkpatrick, who is running for a House seat in Arizona, directly to the camera when she ran against him in 2016.

John McCain concedes defeat in the 2008 presidential election to Barack Obama. Clips of him criticizing rival Democrats have been used by the Republican Party in propaganda videos

John McCain concedes defeat in the 2008 presidential election to Barack Obama. Clips of him criticizing rival Democrats have been used by the Republican Party in propaganda videos

In the ad McCain says: ‘Ann Kirkpatrick won’t oppose higher taxes, she won’t oppose more federal spending and she won’t oppose increased debts that slow economic growth.’

The narrator then adds: ‘In 2016, Senator McCain warned us. … Arizona rejected Kirkpatrick before. It is time to do it again.’

In another ad attacking Elissa Slotkin, a former Obama administration official who is running for a seat in Michigan, McCain is seen laying into her as she testified before a Senate committee in 2014.

The NRCC did not ask the family or friends of the veteran politician for approval to use his words and likeness, according to Politico. 

McCain died last month at the age of 81 after battling aggressive brain cancer and was buried at the US Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, earlier this month. 

Rick Davis, a friend of the McCain family and a former adviser to the senator, told Politico the ads should not have been used so soon after the senator’s death.

He said: ‘The family is disappointed that John’s image is being weaponized this election cycle so soon after his passing, and they had hoped there would be a more appropriate amount of time for people to think about his final message before they began to politicize him.’ 

John McCain's body being taken to the United States Naval Academy Chapel in Annapolis after he died from brain cancer last month

John McCain's body being taken to the United States Naval Academy Chapel in Annapolis after he died from brain cancer last month

John McCain’s body being taken to the United States Naval Academy Chapel in Annapolis after he died from brain cancer last month

A spokesman for the NRCC defended the placement of the adverts, saying the Kirkpatrick ad ‘speaks for itself’, in a statement to CNN.

But Julie Tarallo, a spokeswoman for the family told the TV network: ‘The McCain family believes it is unfortunate that the Senator’s image is being weaponized this election season. And they would hope there would be more respect, especially so soon after his passing.’ 

The Vietnam War veteran, who was tortured in a POW camp for five years, served six terms as a senator in his home state of Arizona.

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