Gove praises Christmas TV advert banned as ‘too political’

MICHAEL GOVE has given his support to a Christmas television advert about the damaging environmental impact of palm oil that was banned for being too political.

The commercial, for retailer Iceland, was voiced by actress Emma Thompson and originally produced by Greenpeace. It features a cartoon orang-utan and highlights the plight of the rainforest.

The advert shows the mass deforestation caused by the production of the oil, which is found in many everyday products from bread to cosmetics.

Mr Gove, the Environment Secretary, said on Twitter: “I want to praise Iceland for raising this critical issue. The destruction of the rainforest habitat which is home to orang-utans should concern us all.”

Clearcast, the body which approves or rejects adverts for broadcast on television, said it was “concerned” that the commercial “doesn’t comply” with legislation on political advertising.

Since Iceland posted the “banned” video online it has received thousands of shares on social media, which is not regulated in the same way.

Iceland said it had spent £500,000 on putting its campaign together and insisted it had booked a number of prime-time television slots with the full intention of having it cleared to air over Christmas.

Richard Walker, managing director at Iceland, said: “We are hopeful that consumers will take to social media to view the film, which raises awareness of an important global issue.”