ABF hits out over ‘inaccurate’ Primark ethics story

by Hannah Marriott, PR Week UK 12-Jan-06

Associated British Foods has slammed an article in The Independent that claimed its Primark chain is the least ethical place to buy clothes in Britain.

The piece was based on a leaked report in alternative magazine Ethical Consumer, which has since admitted that, had Primark been rated independently, it would have been in the top 15 per cent of the table.

ABF head of external affairs Geoff Lancaster said: 'My beef is not with Ethical Consumer. My issue is with The Independent – a credible national newspaper that should have known better.'

'The Independent asked us to comment on a leaked report we had not seen, at five minutes' notice. Even though we told them there were serious factual errors, they still ran it.' The piece was followed up by national radio and regional newspapers.

'The report was not a credible source,' added Lancaster. 'But a national newspaper swallowed it and what's left, on the record, has an effect on our reputation.'

The Independent declined to comment and Ethical Consumer was unavailable for comment.