M&S has been blasted by Scots for putting a Union Jack on a product containing haggis, neeps and tatties.
A picture of the "British haggis, neeps and tatties en croute" dish was uploaded to Twitter by independence supporter Graham Bell who told his followers to retweet if they found it offensive. At the time of writing, the post has 809 retweets.
The product was released in January as part of the supermarket's Burns Night range.
Ruth Watson, who runs the Keep Scotland the Brand campaign, described the product as "odd and disappointing".
She added: "It is remarkable that Marks and Spencer would fail to make the most of the provenance of a dish so closely associated with Scotland.
"Research repeatedly shows clear provenance is good for business both at home and overseas. It is both odd and disappointing that, yet again, Marks and Spencer fails to #keepScotlandtheBrand."
READ MORE: M&S tells Scottish customer: You've had your referendum and you're part of England now
Many Scots said they wouldn't be shopping in M&S over the issue.
@marksandspencer it’s offensive. Stop it or no more cash from me ever. @waitrose are pulling the same stunt. https://t.co/7ReYjeQBw3
— S Leo 🇩🇪🇩🇪🇩🇪🇩🇪🇩🇪🇩🇪🇩🇪🇩🇪🇩🇪 (@SimonLJames) September 5, 2020
@marksandspencer this is pretty despicable. Since when was haggis British? Won’t be shopping with you again. @AldiUK get it right every time. https://t.co/UNEGxVA7mU
— 🦋🏴thismummyruns🏴🦋🌱 (@this_mummy_runs) September 6, 2020
@marksandspencer moan about losing custom.
— The Indy Poet. (@PaulJColvin) September 6, 2020
Absolutely clueless as to why their sales are falling and the arrogance and ignorance that exists in their marketing dept.
They take Scotland's national dish, wrap it in pastry then whack a dirty Union Jack on it.
Unfuckingbelievable. https://t.co/vj6j4QeJpH
Another customer lost. https://t.co/h0ZWxUJWzz
— Colin gaudie (@cairston) September 6, 2020
#ScotlandTheBrand
— Scotster (@Scotsterahoy) September 6, 2020
M&S are getting none of my cash with this nonsense. This is shameful. https://t.co/EjJTHn7ANR
Others suggested the product should have both Saltire and a French flag.
Desperate stuff. With Haggis, neeps and tatties an croute, would a Saltire & French tricolour not be more appropriate? The Auld Alliance lives on? Je pense que les ventes en Écosse seront limitées! https://t.co/1igdZbsUHp
— Richard Foote (@FooteRikk) September 6, 2020
The en croute bit makes it even worse @MandSnews France is *our* friend. https://t.co/NKl52R7zpr
— Fiona Carmichael (@FionaCarmichae1) September 6, 2020
The backlash comes on Scottish Food and Drink Fortnight which runs until September 20 and aims to celebrate the best produce the country has to offer.
READ MORE: Boris Johnson's Union Jackery blitz branded ‘crass’ and ‘desperate’
Here are the best reactions on Twitter:
1.
So, so wrong in every way. https://t.co/lauyc2xQ45
— kindall (@kindall10213191) September 6, 2020
2.
Absolutely 👇🏻 let’s stick a saltire on Cornish pasties 👍🏻🏴 https://t.co/9rEobQkYm1
— 🧡 Pamela 🦊 Hamilton 🖤 (@PamelaH84913231) September 6, 2020
3.
This is just fucking nonsense man away shout at some pigeons or something https://t.co/hrHZUPdMZX
— Liam Myers (@myerss4) September 6, 2020
4.
This is what the UK internal market is all about, removing uniqueness and imposing blandness. https://t.co/f858TY6kiH
— Plop of sentimental mush on the landscape (@MeAndMyBCause) September 6, 2020
5.
#ScotlandTheBrand
— LindyLoo (@LindyLoo2020) September 6, 2020
End union jackery https://t.co/ebvMYfHDzd
6.
'British' haggis! @marksandspencer https://t.co/oVmR6nZIAH
— Philip McLean (@mclean1952) September 6, 2020
7.
Disgraceful: they’ll never tak our haggis, neeps and tatties en croute! https://t.co/P6dS3ioy6S
— StewartM🏴🇪🇺🇮🇪🏴🏳️🌈 (@weemac47) September 6, 2020
8.
Offensive and pathetic. https://t.co/wXCR2Ase9y
— Geoff Huijer (@GeoffHuijer) September 6, 2020
9.
Independence is coming. Union Jackery no more. https://t.co/7DWPC8lqL9
— Mark Fletcher (@WintryFintry) September 6, 2020
10.
I've already stopped using M&S. Their food business is the only ptofitable part of the business but why upset a whole slice of your business. I would rather buy something with a rench/polish/German flag. Anything but a Jack https://t.co/O1PW7UQnFA
— David(Dumgoyach) 🏴 #dontEUforgetaboutme (@Dumgoyach) September 6, 2020
M&S has been contacted for comment.
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