SUPERMARKET giant Asda has moved to quash claims that it had removed certain products bearing a Union flag in response to complaints from republicans.
A spokeswoman has clarified that confusion over this issue arose over a “badly-worded note” that it said should never have been sent out.
She said that no products were removed from any of its stores.
And in a letter to North Antrim TUV MLA Jim Allister, the store said with the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee approaching this year customers “will not be able to move” for Union flag-branded products in store.
“It does not reflect the huge support we’ll be giving the Olympics and Jubilee – in fact you won’t be able to move for the British branded products in our stores,” an Asda official wrote in a letter to Mr Allister.
In a statement on its website an Asda spokesman said: “There is no question of any ‘ban’.
“We’ll be pulling out the stops as we always do at Asda to celebrate both events (Diamond Jubilee and London Olympics) in a big way.”
The TUV leader welcomed the letter and called on other retailers to show as much enthusiasm for the Union flag.
“I hope other retailers follow their example and make 2012 a year in which we celebrate our rich heritage and culture as part of the United Kingdom,” said Mr Allister.