Lush is standing by its #spycops campaign, despite receiving criticism and boycott threats from consumers online.
The UK cosmetics company is currently running the campaign to expose the alleged practice of using undercover police spies in the UK that go "well beyond the boundaries of acceptable police tactics".
It says that spies, such as PC Mark Kennedy who was exposed in 2010 for masquerading as an environmental activist called Mark Stone, have been used to infiltrate the personal lives of activists, lying about their identities and tricking women into sexual relationships.
In a statement, it said: "This is not an anti-state/anti-police campaign.
"We are aware that the police forces of the UK are doing an increasingly difficult and dangerous job whilst having their funding slashed."
It clarified: "Our campaign is to highlight this small and secretive subset of undercover policing that undermines and threatens the very idea of democracy."
Consumers threaten to #flushlush
However the campaign, which has been accompanies by imagery on Lush's website of uniformed police, has been heavily criticised by consumers.
As a result the hashtags #boycottlush and #flushlush have been circulating on social media.
@LushLtd am absolutely disgusted with your anti-police campaign. Our police officers save lives everyday and put themselves into situations to protect us all whilst you sit behind your big desks in an office somewhere. I will never be purchasing a Lush product again!#FlushLush
— Emma Johal (@EmmaJohal) June 1, 2018
I worked for @LushLtd for years before I joined the police, and I'm heartbroken by this. Lush stands alone among many for its strong ethical foundation and the commitment of its staff, just like the police. We should be standing together.
— Sgt Mike Duzinkewycz (@SgtMD01) May 31, 2018
As the widow of a police officer murdered on duty I am appalled at the campaign by @LushLtd the police service should be supported and respected. Who do Lush call when they have a shoplifter, their staff are abused or their stores broken into? Hang your heads in shame.
— Christine Fulton (@CFMBE) June 1, 2018
Cries of 'fake outrage'
The case of undercover police spying is currently the focus of an ongoing public inquiry, which was spearheaded by Theresa May when she was Home Secretary.
Some consumers showed their support for Lush, however, with one calling out negative reactions as "fake outrage".
Check out all the fake outrage of people deliberately misunderstanding @LushLtd's campaign against #spycops, while totally ignoring the issue Lush are trying to raise.. https://t.co/F6DIn9c3tx via @MetroUK
— Adam McGibbon (@AdamMcGibbon) June 1, 2018
Step back from the issue and look at the campaign with an unbiased pair of eyes. We completely support the intention of the campaign but the true message has been warped by the poor marketing. If @LushLtd have to explain it then it’s poorly executed
— John-Martin Pugh (@JohnMartinPugh) June 1, 2018
