MP calls for boycott over 'facist' Ferry

From the archive, first published Wednesday 18th Apr 2007.

Keighley MP Ann Cryer is boycotting Marks and Spencer after branding one of its models a "fascist" over his public praise of the Nazis.

Singer Bryan Ferry, the face of the UK retailer's autumn advertising campaign, was reported to have told a German newspaper that the "mass marches and flags" of Hitler's regime were "just fantastic - really beautiful."

Calls were immediately made for the singer to be dropped.

Now Mrs Cryer said she will boycott the store.

She said: "I am a great fan of M&S and I get a lot of clothes from there but for a short time I will avoid shopping there. We cannot give support to fascists who are appearing in this way. It is completely unacceptable - it is not vaguely fascist but completely fascist.

"Bryan Ferry has done very well out of the store and it gave him a public rebirth and people cannot deny he does look good in the suits. But he has taken advantage of them - he should rein it in."

The singer apologised for his comments after mounting pressure.

He said in a statement: "I apologise unreservedly for any offence caused by my comments on Nazi iconography, which were solely made from an art history perspective."

"I, like every right-minded individual, find the Nazi regime, and all it stood for, evil and abhorrent."

Mrs Cryer is one of eight MPs to have signed a parliamentary petition urging the boycott of the retail giant.

The origin of Marks and Spencer was a chain of "Penny Bazaars", founded in 1884 by a Russian-born Polish-Jewish immigrant Michael Marks in Leeds with a loan of £5.

MPs say Mr Ferry's comments and behaviour was of "particular insult" to the memory of M&S founding fathers.

Mrs Cryer added: "I think M&S has not connected the two. His comments and its history. The petition is saying to the company that something should be done. Not necessarily sack him, but he should be spoken to.

"I will not be boycotting for years but a few weeks. I want to make a point to them."

An M&S spokesman said: "We welcome Bryan Ferry's clarification and unreserved apology on his recent comments.

"Like any of our menswear models Bryan is not on an ongoing contract. We have not yet decided our plans going forward for menswear advertising."

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