[Ammi]

Clintons have been forced to issue an apology after a Christmas card branded "vile" and "beyond offensive" on social media was withdrawn from sale.

The £2 card listed "10 reasons why Santa Claus must live on a council estate", including: "He has a serial record for breaking and entering!", and: "He only works once a year".

On Twitter, @valbrown_valb labelled the card "seriously vile", @MikeSegalov wrote "this is beyond offensive" and ‏@SusanABatchelor said it was "vilifying and stigmatising the poor for corporate gain".

Labour MP Kerry McCarthy also stepped into the row, tweeting: "Wow, this is so wrong".

A spokesman for Clintons said: "A card in our range has been withdrawn immediately. It is in no way reflective of our views and we apologise without reservation.

"We are investigating how this offensive card got through our quality control procedures, which we will review and tighten as a result of this incident. This was a mistake and we deeply regret the upset that this has clearly caused."

At number four on the card's list was: "He's never actually been seen doing any work in his whole life", and number five read: " He drinks alcohol during working hours".

The product description on the Clintons website has now been replaced with an apology. It originally said: "This funny card is great for sending at Christmas time."

But customers on the greetings card retailer's Facebook page did not see the humour.

Belle Sebastian wrote: "Disgraceful! I live on a council estate - never have I been in trouble with the police, I don't drink, I worked full time for the council until I became very sick this year so I attend university whilst I recover. I cannot believe that your company has allowed this vile prejudice - I'm sure a number of your employees live on estates since you only pay minimum wage..."

The company's website lists job vacancies for Christmas temps in a number of locations with a salary of £4.96 to £6.50 per hour.

The Living Wage Foundation say the current UK living wage is £7.85 an hour.



https://uk.news.yahoo.com/council-es...3.html#Thy1EIM

[arista]

maybe they can go to Poundland

[Jamesy]

Overreaction tbh.

There are loads of cards that take the piss out of all parts of society.

[smudgie]

This country used to be able to laugh at itself.

[kirklancaster]

I think all the uproar would be more acceptable if it was focused against the measly exploitative crap rates of pay this company 'rewards' its temps with.

[Ninastar]

pmsl!

i actually expected something vile

people are so pathetic these days

i bet there wouldnt be half as many complaints if it was a 'white rich man' stereotype

[joeysteele]

I think had it been only about the image of Santa Claus then fine, however I do think the references to 'council estate' was unnecessary and could have been offensive to some considering the list of things negative as to the idea of Santa Claus.

The choice was there however, to buy the card or not,.
I find humerous cards both funny,mildly funny, not funny at all and often greatly offensive.
Would I complain about them?
No, I simply wouldn't buy them if I found them offensive,just leave them on the shelves and that gets a strong message across to the retailer.

I never have been and never will be a fan of the Santa Claus thing anyway myself.

[LeatherTrumpet]

Josy will be furious...

[Kizzy]

I found it in really poor taste, but then it fits in with all the poverty porn that some seem to lap up.
It's not just those on benefits, being jobless or addicted that's targetted but apparently now poor white trash, anyone who lives in social housing. I can see why this scoffing brand of mockery could be seen as offensive, but yes I guess there are other profiles that are leveled at, privately educated stuffed shirts, essex man and poor little rich girls.
It's not my humour, and it's in no way festive.

[kirklancaster]

Originally Posted by ArchAngel

I found it in really poor taste, but then it fits in with all the poverty porn that some seem to lap up.
It's not just those on benefits, being jobless or addicted that's targetted but apparently now poor white trash, anyone who lives in social housing. I can see why this scoffing brand of mockery could be seen as offensive, but yes I guess there are other profiles that are leveled at, privately educated stuffed shirts, essex man and poor little rich girls.
It's not my humour, and it's in no way festive.

Good post Kizzy and all valid points.

[Northern Monkey]

I can't see it as being particularly 'vile' but what perplexes me is,Who exactly would be the target market for this card?
I mean you would'nt buy it for somebody who actually lives on a council estate because they'd think you're having a pop at them and for anyone else the joke would be lost because it'd be irrelevant.

[arista]

Originally Posted by EyeballPaul

I can't see it as being particularly 'vile' but what perplexes me is,Who exactly would be the target market for this card?
I mean you would'nt buy it for somebody who actually lives on a council estate because they'd think you're having a pop at them and for anyone else the joke would be lost because it'd be irrelevant.

Yes its a work of art

[Nedusa]

Slight overreaction in my view, in poor taste maybe... Vile. No , that's taking it too seriously in my view.

Some people might actually find it funny so let them buy it, I mean it's not as of Santa was a real person , so what the hell is all the fuss about ?




.

[Livia]

Ridiculous overreaction. I've seen some sickeningly offensive, unfunny cards over the years that don't seem to have been complained about. If a stand up had said that stuff people would have laughed.

[armand.kay]

Lmao these people are lame af.

[Mystic Mock]

It's sad to see that some parts of the UK are still stuck in the Victorian Times when outrageous jokes are getting banned.

[Marsh.]

They had Clintons Cards in Victorian times?

[T*]

It's not even offensive..

[T*]

It's sad that some person is going to lose their job over this ****

[Kizzy]

Fact is someones ex council house in London is worth more than a mansion anywhere else in the UK... Who's laffin now?

[coffee]

HAHAHAHAHAH if I had seen this card on shelf I would have bought it, It sounds hilarious! WTF at people being outraged? It is in the same humor as many British comedians that are very well loved!

[Kizzy]

jim davidson?... frankie boyle?

[arista]

Originally Posted by ArchAngel

jim davidson?... frankie boyle?

[Livia]

I was thinking more Jimmy Carr.

Imagine if the jokes were at the expense of posh people. Who'd be offended then? No one.

[LeatherTrumpet]

i am amazed anyone goes into clinton cards

I would rather put my balls through a mincer