Laurence Fox has accused Sainsbury’s of ‘promoting racial segregation and discrimination’ and said he will be boycotting the supermarket chain after they promoted Black History Month.
The actor, who recently announced he was launching his own political party to ‘reclaim British values, denounced the supermarket on Twitter.
He said: ‘Dear Sainsbury’s
‘I won’t be shopping in your supermarket ever again whilst you promote racial segregation and discrimination. I sincerely hope others join me. RT’
It came after Sainsbury’s announced they would be marking Black History Month, an annual celebration of achievements of the black community, recognising the central role black people have played in history.
Laurence Fox has said he will not be shopping at Sainsbury’s after they announced they would be celebrating Black History Month which Fox said was promoting ‘racial segregation’
The supermarket says it’s aim is to be ‘the most inclusive retailer’ where ‘every single one of our colleagues feels safe and supported at work’.
The company said it is actively pushing for change for black people in the UK and want all their customers and colleagues to be themselves and feel celebrated when they shop at Sainsbury’s.
In a statement, Sainsbury’s said: ‘We are proud to celebrate Black History Month, together with our Black colleagues, customers and communities and we will not tolerate racism.
‘We proudly represent and serve our diverse society and anyone who does not want to shop with an inclusive retailer is welcome to shop elsewhere.’
Fox told his 239,000 Twitter followers that despite it being his closest supermarket, they would not be getting his custom until they ‘address their regressive and segregationist policies’.
His response sparked debate on Twitter with some backing his views while others said Sainsbury’s tweet had had the desired effect.
Sainsbury’s said anyone who is not happy with ‘an inclusive retailer’ is welcome to shop elsewhere as it says it is proud to celebrate Black History Month with their communities
One wrote: ‘Beautifully put! I cannot believe how wrong Sainsburys has got this.
‘This idiocy has to have come down from Board level. Really feel for their staff – how the hell do they handle this?’
Another posted: ‘Sainsbury’s say they don’t want racists using their shop and racists doing exactly what they have asked by going elsewhere, bants’
A third penned: ‘Will be making sure I pop there much more than I did before – will be a bigot free store by the state of the comments here.’
Laurence Fox announced last month that he was launching a new political party called the Reclaim Party in a bid to ‘reclaim British values’.
The actor, 42, has received substantial sums from former Tory donors and hopes to stand dozens of candidates across the UK.
The Lewis star says he wants to provide a movement for people who are ‘tired of being told that we represent the very thing we have, in history, stood together against’.
He hopes to launch the party next month and the name is subject to the Electoral Commission’s approval.
Fox, who sparked controversy when he said suggestions of ‘racism’ over how the Duchess of Sussex was treated in some quarters was ‘boring’, says among his new party’s aims are reforming the BBC, protecting free speech and celebrating Britain’s contribution to the world
Actor has received substantial sums from former Tory donors to launch his own political party provisionally called Reclaim and hopes to stand dozens of candidates across the UK, he says
His website states: ‘Over many years it has become clear that our politicians have lost touch with the people they represent and govern. Moreover, our public institutions now work to an agenda beyond their main purpose.
‘Our modern United Kingdom was born out of the respectful inclusion of so many individual voices. It is steeped in the innate values of families and communities, diverse in the truest sense but united in the want and need to call this island home.
‘The people of the United Kingdom are tired of being told that we represent the very thing we have, in history, stood together against.
‘We are all privileged to be the custodians of our shared heritage. We can reclaim a respectful nation where all are included and none are ashamed to have somewhere to call home.’
He added: ‘I have been so encouraged by the support I have received by those wishing to add their voices to this reclamation of our values.
‘Our country is now in desperate need of a new political movement which promises to make our future a shared endeavour, not a divisive one. This is now my endeavour.’
Fox, who has been a fierce critic of the BBC, sparked controversy when he said suggestions of ‘racism’ over how the Duchess of Sussex was treated in some quarters was ‘boring’.
He also hit out at black and working class actors for complaining about the industry once they have ‘five million quid in the bank’.
A Westminster source said the new party is a version of UKIP for the culture wars and believes it could attract hundreds of thousands of unhappy Conservative voters.
Sources close to Fox said the party does not see itself as strictly left or right wing but will be a broad church.
Reclaim so far has three objectives, which include protecting free speech, reforming publicly funded institutions, and preserving and celebrating Britain’s cultural history.
Planning has been underway for the last two months and backers include former Tory donor Jeremy Hosking.
Staff are already being recruited for the party after Fox was launched into the political arena after his performance on Question Time in January.