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Members of the English Democrats Party have served Race Relations Act questionnaires on Tesco and Tesco’s Chairman, Sir Terry Leahy.
Sir Terry and his company wrote to English Democrats Party members who are protesting at Tesco’s refusal to show the Cross of St George on English produce, while happily display the Scottish Saltire and Welsh Dragon on the Scottish and Welsh Produce.
Sir Terry wrote saying:- "To display the fact products are sourced, packed and supplied regionally. We do not place the English flag on "English” products because we have what we term generic core lines. As Tesco view Scotland and Wales as "Regions” for the purposes of merchandising and to ensure we give the customers in those areas exactly what they expect and want (i.e. Welsh and Scottish people have loyalty to their own products). We like them to know that the products they are purchasing are from their own countries hence the reason for the flag. As I am sure you will appreciate, it is more difficult to do this because of the sheer size and complexity of areas of England.
For example, if we place an English flag on a piece of Cornish Mature Cheddar from the "West Country”, saying that it is regionally sourced, packed and supplied, this may seem peculiar to someone buying the product in other parts of the country. Traditionally English products have been labelled with the Union Jack – only a very small number have ever carried the St George’s flag”.
The English Democrats campaigners allege that:- Tesco are treating the Nations of Scotland, of Wales and of England differently and therefore are treating both the English and English people differently than Tesco would if they were Scottish or Welsh. Sir Terry is happy to have Tesco celebrate St Patrick’s Day but has refused to have National St George’s Day celebrations in recognition of St George’s Day in Tesco’s stores.
Robin Tilbrook, Chairman of the English Democrats said that:- Hundreds of our members have written to Tesco and received a similar reply. We argue that each response is a breach of the Race Relations Act which prohibits discrimination on the grounds of Nationality and under the Act each incident of discrimination gives rise to a claim of £8,000.
I say that if enough English people claim the compensation they could be entitled to from Tesco, the English could easily turn Tesco’s over £2bn of profits to an over £2bn of loss for next year.
We are calling for all volunteers to claim from Tesco and anyone interested in being helped make a claim should contact enquiries@englishdemocrats.or.uk, or write to:- PO Box 1066, Norwich, NR14 6ZJ. Tel: 01277 896000.
Ends
Press release issued: August 3 2006
