Marks & Spencer Union Flag row: MLA accuses company of sidestepping questions in official letter
An official letter from Marks & Spencer in response to questions about why it withdrew Union Flag shopping bags from Northern Ireland completely fails to address the issue, an MLA has said.
The company has confirmed that it withdrew Union Flag reusable shopping bags from their Sprucefield store in Lisburn after a complaint from a customer.
M&S said the bags had been intended for customers in England only.
Over several days M&S has declined to say why it would not make Union Flag bags available as an option for NI customers, bearing in mind NI is an integral part of the UK.
UUP MLA Steve Aiken wrote to the CEO of M&S on Tuesday, pressing for an explanation
The regional manager for NI, Ryan Lemon, responded the next day, extolling the virtues of the company's NI bags – which have no Union Flag.
However, Mr Aiken immediately wrote back, saying the letter failed to address his questions.
In his initial letter, the MLA, who is also deputy speaker of the assembly, said the matter has been raised by a number of constituents.
The MLA pressed M&S to say whether this was a local or national decision, what criteria were applied in determining that this product should be withdrawn, and whether similar products associated with other identities or national symbols are subject to the same approach.
Mr Lemon replied saying he appreciated Mr Aiken's comments and regretted “any confusion caused”.
He added: “Marks & Spencer has a long-standing presence in Northern Ireland and we are proud of our close relationship with the farming community here. The carrier bag design used in Northern Ireland reflects this commitment and celebrates the central role that local farming and food production plays in our business.”
NI is one of the most important sourcing regions for M&S Food, with over 2,100 M&S Select Farms supplying products across their stores, he said.
Praising the Co Antrim pictured on the NI bags, he added: “I hope this provides reassurance about the purpose and intention behind the carrier bag design used in Northern Ireland.”
But Mr Aiken was far from happy with the response.
In a further letter he thanked M&S for their valued relationship with NI farmers but added: “I must express my disappointment that your reply does not address the fundamental issue raised in my original correspondence.
“The concern put forward was not about the explanation for the carrier bag design, the promotion of local farming. Rather, the issue is the decision to withdraw a Union Flag carrier bag that was previously available to all customers, and the implications this has for customer choice and the perception of balanced representation.”
He also commended M&S for remaining in NI throughout the Troubles, but said its reply still “does not address the concern that a product representing a legitimate and lawful expression of identity has been removed from sale.
“For many of my constituents, this is not a minor retail change but a matter of principle regarding fairness, balance, and respect.”
He asked M&S to provide “a clear and direct response” to his questions” and that serious consideration is given to reviewing the withdrawal of the bags.