Soap company Lush lands in hot water with controversial new campaign
The cosmetics retailer has been heavily criticised on social media for drawing attention to the "spy cops" scandal
© Reuters
LIFESTYLE Police
Cosmetics company Lush has launched a controversial new campaign referencing "the ongoing undercover policing scandal, where officers have infiltrated the lives, homes and beds of activists."
Undercover police officers have infiltrated the lives, homes, and beds of activists since 1968. Their roles were to infiltrate political groups and collect ‘intelligence’ about planned demonstrations and the individuals involved. 1/3 #SpyCops pic.twitter.com/llIfzNWGsv
— LUSH UK (@LushLtd) 1 June 2018
Social media users have responded with accusations of attacking the police and have called the campaign "disgusting", but Lush has said it is not "an anti-police campaign".
An Undercover Policing Inquiry is taking place, but many campaigners have a complete lack of confidence in the public Inquiry’s approach. We’re standing with them to put pressure on the UK government to make the Inquiry more effective, and we’re asking you to join us. 2/3
— LUSH UK (@LushLtd) 1 June 2018
Find out more and get involved here:https://t.co/RM0q0h5dsc 3/3
— LUSH UK (@LushLtd) 1 June 2018
The retailer's shops feature window displays crossed with police tape stating "police have crossed the line" and images saying "paid to lie" over a police officer. Twitter account @UKCopHumour suggested that the company would not get a quick response in the event of an emergency call.
The latest "advertising" campaign by LUSH UK..... ???? You might now expect a 100% reduction in calls to the Police, given that they're displaying their contempt in their shop windows... pic.twitter.com/LGXCZ5o7BG
— UK Cop Humour (@UKCopHumour) 31 May 2018
The campaign is intended to raise awareness of the perceived lack of progress in the ongoing Undercover Policing Inquiry, which was launched in 2015. Allegations include undercover police officers fathering children with women who did not know their lover was an undercover police officer and the home secretary reportedly ordered the review after claims police spied on the family of Stephen Lawrence.
In an official statement, the cosmetics company said, "Lush will be hosting a national campaign to raise awareness of the ongoing undercover policing scandal, where officers have infiltrated the lives, homes and beds of activists. The campaign will support the already active #SpyCops conversation and aims to highlight the current lack of progress of the Undercover Policing Inquiry and the granting of anonymity to key police witnesses."