Reform UK candidate Mark Hoath has hit out at M&S’ decision to pull an Instagram post and apologise for any “unintentional hurt”.
The company were accused of posting an image of Christmas party hats in the colours of the Palestinian flag on fire.
The image is an out-take from one of the company’s TV adverts, showing red, green and silver hats burning.
Following criticism from pro-Palestine activists, the company pulled the image in a decision that has been branded yet another example of “traditions being watered down”, according to Mark Hoath.
Mark Hoath discusses Marks & Spencer
GB / PA / Marks & Spencer
He told GB News: “I think it’s ridiculous the fact that they’ve had to apologise for it.
“Those colours represent Christmas red. You know, Father Christmas green for tree and holly and silver bells.
“It’s just another example where we see our traditions being watered down on the back of woke and multiculturalism.”
Patrick Christys concurred with the suggestion, adding the company’s television advert itself is a woke production with its “erasure” of the word Christmas, as a result of their decision to brand it “Thismas”.
Hoath said the advert “rubbishes” Christmas, but took particular issue with the protest surrounding colours.
“I actually contacted a friend of mine who is a Muslim guy and he’s pretty pro-Palestine and asked for his opinion on this”, he said.
Marks and Spencer come under fire
PA“He said it makes us look ridiculous. The fact that people have complained about an advert for Marks and Spencer’s, the fact that those flags are the same colour as Wales, Italy and Mexico, it’s nothing to do with it.
“It was filmed in August as well.
“This is just another example of the minority dictating to the majority.”
The company defended the hats, saying they were “traditional, festive coloured red, green and silver Christmas paper hats”.
In a statement posted to X, formerly known as Twitter, they said: “We have removed the post following feedback and we apologise for any unintentional hurt caused.”
Other social media users have defended the company, arguing the hats are in traditional Christmas colours.
Queer Eye presenter Tan France, who appears in the advert, said: “The ad was shot in August, so maybe you’re reaching with your ridiculous commnents.”
The Advertising Standards Authority, which regulates advertising in the UK, confirmed it has received 40 complaints about the post.
The regulator says it is reviewing the complaints to determine whether further action is needed.