Next has withdrawn a Pan Am Christmas jumper from its website in response to complaints. The contentious sweater, which sparked a petition with over 1,500 signatures, has been taken down following local outcry.
The Pan Am flight 103 bombing in 1988 remains a poignant memory in the history of Lockerbie, claiming the lives of 270 individuals when the plane crashed into the south of the Scottish town. Phil Geddes, a Lockerbie resident, initiated the petition against Next’s product.
In response to the community’s concerns, Next issued an apology, recognizing the unintended distress caused by featuring the jumper in its marketplace section. The retail company expressed regret for any offence caused and promptly removed the product from its online offerings.
Phil Geddes, the petitioner, stressed the personal nature of his objection on the petition page, stating, “As a resident of the town at the time of the Lockerbie bombing, an event that has left an indelible mark on the lives of many, hundreds of people. It is with this personal experience that I raise my voice against a product currently being sold by Next. This item, in its design or message, is offensive and disrespectful to those affected by this tragic event.”
