Labour MPs pile pressure on Heinz over gay kiss ad

by Colin Marrs, Campaign 30-Jun-08, 12:25

LONDON - Labour MP Diane Abbott has submitted a Parliamentary early day motion calling on Heinz to reinstate its "gay kiss" ad.

Watch the Heinz "gay kiss" ad

Heinz withdrew the ad for its Deli Mayo brand, which features two men kissing, after the Advertising Standards Agency received more than 200 complaints.

The motion has been signed by five other Labour MPs, and says Heinz's decision is likely to offend millions of gay and lesbian people.

Diane Abbott told Campaign: "I think that Heinz totally misjudged this. I cannot find anyone who was offended by the ad, which was clearly intended as a joke.

"But I have spoke to lots of people - and not just gay and lesbian people - who think that the way Heinz pulled the ad was silly and offensive."

The text of the motion says: "Millions of children watch depictions of same-sex relationships in soap operas every day."

It continues that the ad was "not intended to be a realistic depiction of a same-sex relationship, and that the ad was intended to be humorous".

The original ad was created by Abbott Mead Vickers BBDO.

It was due to air for four weeks, but Heinz's move to drop the ad led gay rights group Stonewall to call for a boycott of Heinz products.

Heinz and AMV BBDO are refusing to comment on the furore.

Comments

James Byrne - 30/06/2008

another case of politicans interfeering in areas outside their ever widening remit. for better or worse this was a commercial/PR decision - consumers can make their own mind up without needless rallying calls from back benchers who seem to have a better grasp of PR opps than the companies they try to influence. As for kids watching soap operars - I don't think this should necessarily become the new moral barometer. Also parents have some control over programes and there is some idea what's going to appear, unlike ads. freedom of speech should also mean freedom not be be PC.

A DIAZ - 30/06/2008

Here, here!

anthony agarrat - 30/06/2008

Diane Abbott told Campaign: "I think that Heinz totally misjudged this. I cannot find anyone who was offended by the ad, which was clearly intended as a joke"--------What would be interesting is to see everyones reaction if the couple in the ad were meant to be a same sex couple, surely that wouldnt be deemed any more offensive but how many people would come out in its defence if it wasnt a "joke".

Chris Lonie - 30/06/2008

Has Diane Abbott not got anything better to do with her time, and therefore the taxpayers' money, than get involved in this silly storm in a teacup? It's well known she's a publicity hound, but this is taking things to new levels. No wonder the Labour Party is in the state it's in.