Controversy over Tesco Jubilee badges

Local DUP representatives have now met with Tesco management to discuss how the Jubilee will be celebrated at their stores throughout Northern Ireland.

East Londonderry MP Gregory Campbell, George Robinson MLA, councillors James McCorkell and Alan Robinson attended the meeting, following an incident where staff at Tesco in Limavady were asked to remove a commemorative badge. It has now become apparent that the badges should not have been sent to Northern Ireland, although they were distributed around stores in the rest of the UK.

Speaking today, Mr Campbell said: “This week staff at the Tesco store in Limavady received a commemorative Jubilee badge for their uniform, which is part of how the store across the UK is playing a part in these national celebrations.

“However, the staff were later told to remove these and understandably this caused a great deal of upset amongst staff and customers alike. Councillors. Robinson and McCorkell were alerted to the issue by a number of local people. Today we met with Tesco NI management to discuss this issue, where they have said that these badges were issued in error because Tesco have regional variations across the UK in how the Jubilee is celebrated.

“The question must be asked, however, exactly why regional variations are necessary for a celebration which spans and unites the whole of the UK. I have asked the Tesco management to review this policy and allow a uniform celebration of Her Majesty’s Diamond Jubilee in stores right across the Nation.

“It would be interesting to know exactly what regional differences Tesco have introduced between England and Wales for example, or even whether there are any differences between English regions. The suspicion here is that such differences are actually only being applied in Northern Ireland, but we have asked that the management review this policy and ensure that stores across all of the UK will mark this national event in the same way.

“Had it not been for the Limavady incident no one in Northern Ireland would have been aware that we are not having the same type of Jubilee commemorations as other regions of the Nation. This should serve as a reminder to Tesco and all other National businesses that where National events which do not cause offence are concerned and open and uniform policy is by far the best approach to take.”