‘Irresponsible’ Burger King tweet about milkshake is banned
Written by News on 02/10/2019
A Burger King tweet about milkshake has been banned for encouraging anti-social behaviour.
The controversial message had been posted on 18 May, not long after the drinks were thrown at far-right figures.
A day after a Brexit Party rally in Edinburgh, a Burger King tweet read: “Dear people of Scotland. We’re selling milkshakes all weekend. Have fun. Love BK. #justsaying”
The fast food chain’s Edinburgh outlet was asked by police to temporarily stop selling milkshakes on the day of the rally, which featured party leader Nigel Farage.
Former EDL leader Tommy Robinson and Ukip candidate Carl Benjamin were both drenched in the drinks by members of the public as they campaigned during the European elections.
In one incident, Mr Robinson appeared to throw punches at a man who had thrown milkshake over him during a heated exchange in Warrington.
Mr Farage was also doused in milkshake days after his Edinburgh appearance, during a campaign walkabout in Newcastle.
According to the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA), 24 people complained that Burger King’s tweet was offensive and irresponsible.
Complainants argued it encouraged violence and anti-social behaviour.
But Burger King defended its tweet, saying it “absolutely rejects” that the post endorsed violence.
It argued: “Our tweet regarding the situation in Edinburgh was intended to be a tongue-in-cheek reaction to the situation.”
A follow-up tweet posted by the fast food chain at the time read: “We’d never endorse violence – or wasting our delicious milkshakes! So enjoy the weekend and please drink responsibly people.”
However the ASA concluded the tweet was “irresponsible” and “condoned the previous anti-social behaviour and encouraged further instances”.
It said: “Although we acknowledged that the tweet may have been intended as a humorous response to the suspension of milkshake sales by the advertiser’s competitor, in the context in which it appeared we considered it would be understood as suggesting that Burger King milkshakes could be used instead by people to ‘milkshake’ Nigel Farage.
“We told Burger King to ensure that its future marketing communications did not condone or encourage anti-social behaviour.”
(c) Sky News 2019: ‘Irresponsible’ Burger King tweet about milkshake is banned
