Marks & Spencer Union Flag shopping bag row: Pressure mounts from MLA and Shadow Secretary of State
Pressure has continued to mount on Marks & Spencer over its decision to withdraw Union Flag shopping bags from Northern Ireland - now from UUP MLA Steven Aiken and Shadow Secretary of State Alex Burghart.
Mr Aiken has written to the company to press for answers and a reinstatement of the bags, while Mr Burghart asked whether Union Flags would now be removed from all M&S products sold in NI?
Meanwhile, media commentator Chris Donnelly has said that most people would not care what is on their shopping bags.
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 two days the M&S has declined to say why it would not make Union Flag bags available as an option for customers in NI, bearing in mind that it is an integral part of the UK?
Now Deputy Speaker of the Assembly, Steve Aiken has written to M&S to press for answers, saying it has been raised by a number of constituents.
"While I recognise that retailers are entitled to make commercial decisions, this action goes beyond routine stock management," he said in his letter.
"The removal of a product of this nature sends an unhelpful and, to many, offensive signal that a legitimate and lawful expression of identity is somehow inappropriate for sale. That is a position I do not accept."
Making a bag available for voluntary purchase "does not impose itself on anyone", he added.
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whether this was a local or national decision, what criteria were applied in determining that this product should be withdrawn and whether similar products associated with other identities or national symbols are subject to the same approach.
He also strongly urged M&S to "reconsider this decision as a matter of priority" and to respect "the principle of customer choice".
Speaking to the Nolan Show yesterday, Shadow Secretary of State Alex Burghart MP said it was "a bit unfortunate that that they feel they can't provide the union flag bags in our country".
He would be "very interested to know what pressure they've been put under, and how many complaints have been made".
The Tory MP added: "I think we'd all like to know whether Marks and Spencer is going to take the union jack off everything in their stores. A lot of goods in Marks and Spencers often have a little Union Jack on. Is it going to extend to that?"
Stephen Nolan asked commentator Chris Donnelly whether he would have a difficulty using a Union Flag bag.
He replied: "I think people - if you're stuck for something - you would use what you had."
The commentator said it was "ridiculous" to be having the conversation.
"Do I care what a high street shop is offering as their bag? No, I don't...".
However he said that similar concerns had previously been raised about a company offering green white and orange bags.
"I don't think most people would care. If you want to get that bag when you're in Marks and Spencer's, you'll get it. If you don't, you will use a different bag."