Lush faces backlash over ‘anti-police’ ads

LUSH, the cosmetics chain, was yesterday urged to cancel an “offensive and disgusting” campaign against undercover police operations.

The campaign about officers who infiltrated groups of political activists includes the slogan “paid to lie” alongside a picture of a man in a police hat.

Lush said it was intended to draw attention to the ongoing public inquiry into undercover policing.

But Calum Macleod, chairman of the Police Federation of England and Wales, urged the company to cancel it.

He said: “The campaign is offensive, disgusting and an insult to the hard work, professionalism and dedication of police officers throughout the UK.

“All it serves to do is to criticise police officers and encourage an antipolice sentiment.

Sajid Javid, the Home Secretary, also criticised Lush, saying: “Never thought I would see a mainstream British retailer running a public advertising campaign against our hardworking police. This is not a responsible way to make a point.”

The inquiry into undercover police operations was launched by Theresa May when she was home secretary. It was set up in response to the revelation that some officers had lengthy relationships with activists who were unaware of their true identity.

Lush said: “This is not about the real police work done by front line officers who support the public every day – it is about a controversial branch of political undercover policing that ran for many years before being exposed.”