Skip to content
Search
AI Powered
Latest Stories

Ben & Jerry's slams Priti Patel on Twitter about UK migrant crossings

American ice cream maker Ben & Jerry's has criticised Home Secretary Priti Patel over the handling of the increasing cross-channel migrant crossings.

The frozen dessert company took to Twitter on Tuesday, 12th August, tagging Ms Patel in several posts on the matter urging her to show “humanity”.


It comes after Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he was looking into new laws to deter migrants from crossing and make it easier to send anyone back when they arrive.

The tweets read: "Hey @PritiPatel, we think the real crisis is our lack of humanity for people fleeing war, climate change and torture."

It added: "People wouldn't make dangerous journeys if they had any other choice."

The account also tweeted: "People cannot be illegal."

More than 4,000 people have successfully made the dangerous journey across the British Channel this year, with around 597 people between last Thursday and Sunday.

A source from the Home Office quickly responded to the messages, deeming the company as "a brand of overpriced junk food".

The source said: “Priti is working day and night to bring an end to these small boat crossings, which are facilitated by international criminal gangs and are rightly of serious concern to the British people.

"If that means upsetting the social media team for a brand of overpriced junk food, then so be it.”

Foreign Minister James Cleverly also waded into the row, tweeting: "Can I have a large scoop of statistically inaccurate virtue signalling with my grossly overpriced ice cream please."

On the same the tweets were made, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said it was currently "very, very difficult" to legally return people who arrive in the UK from France using small boats.

Ben and Jerry's was founded in 1978 Vermont, USA before being purchased by Unilever in 2000 for around $326m (£246m).

Last week the ice cream makers announced their paid advertising freeze on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram will last until the end of 2020.

The dessert brand has accused the social media platforms for not taking enough action on digital hate culture and misinformation posts.

More for you

Budget 2024: Local shops to face significant new pressure

(Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images)

(Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images)

Budget 2024: Local shops to face significant new pressure

Local shops will face significant new pressures as a result of today’s Budget, the Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) has warned.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves' budget's impact will be felt unevenly across the UK’s 50,000 convenience stores, with some measures such as business rate relief and the increased employment allowance mitigating costs for smaller independent stores, while providing no help for chains and larger independent businesses.

Keep ReadingShow less
Post Office cash deposits and withdrawals
Post Office, DPD partners to rollout ‘Click and Collect’ services
Post Office, DPD partners to rollout ‘Click and Collect’ services

Parliament to launch inquiry into Post Office Horizon scandal compensation delays

Parliament is to launch an inquiry into delays in compensation settlements for sub postmasters affected by the Horizon scandal.

The newly-formed Business and Trade Select Committee will call ministers, subpostmasters and their lawyers to give evidence next week with a second session to follow in mid-November. The Committee’s chair, Liam Byrne MP told ITV News that there was “definitely a delay” in people coming forward for payment.

Keep ReadingShow less
Bacup Wine and Convenience shop, 34 Burnley Road, Bacup.

Bacup Wine and Convenience shop, 34 Burnley Road, Bacup.

Robbie MacDonald via LDRS

Shop’s licence bid rejected over illegal vapes and ‘no regard’ for children’s safety

A Rossendale shop has had a licence bid rejected after repeatedly selling vapes to children and having illegal products on its premises.

Management at the Ibra Superstore at 34 Burnley Road, Bacup, have shown ‘no regard’ for children’s protection and safety, and have insufficient controls for licensing, Rossendale councillors have ruled.

Keep ReadingShow less
SPAR retailer hits target to secure £100,000 free stock from James Hall

SPAR retailer hits target to secure £100,000 free stock from James Hall

SPAR North of England retailer Dara Singh Randhawa’s family store has been awarded £100,000 of free stock after hitting all his targets since moving to the symbol.

Dara and his family, who have their SPAR store in Patrington in the East Riding of Yorkshire, joined SPAR through its association with James Hall & Co. Ltd in August 2023 having taken the decision to maximise the store’s potential.

Keep ReadingShow less
Pound Sterling bank notes
iStock

National Living Wage to increase to £12.21 in April 2025

The government has on Wednesday announced its acceptance of the Low Pay Commission’s (LPC) recommendations on the rates of the National Minimum Wage (NMW), including the National Living Wage (NLW).

The rates which will apply from 1 April 2025 are as follows:

Keep ReadingShow less