Primark drops padded girls’ bikini after boycott calls

PADDED bikini tops for young girls were taken off the shelves by Primark yesterday after the British high street chain was accused of sexualising children.

Primark, which was not selling the bikinis in Ireland, acted after calls for a boycott of its stores by an organisation which helps child victims of abuse and following criticism from Conservative leader David Cameron.

A spokesman said: “Primark has taken note of the concern regarding the sale of certain bikini tops for girls, a product line that sells in relatively small quantities.

“The company has stopped the sale of this product line with immediate effect.

“Primark will donate all the profits made from this product line to a children’s charity, and apologises to customers for any offence caused.”

Child protection consultant Shy Keenan, of The Phoenix Chief Advocates, which called for the boycott, welcomed the chain’s decision. “Primark have made a mistake here, but at least they have listened to their customers and taken real steps to put it right. We could not have asked for a better outcome,” she said.

Cameron, who branded the sale “disgraceful”, said he was “delighted” the bikini top had been withdrawn from sale.

Lynne Featherstone, the Liberal Democrat spokeswoman for equality, said: “Primark’s decision is welcome but how on earth could they have thought that this was a good idea in the first place?”

Justine Roberts, founder of the parents online forum Mumsnet, said the withdrawal was “fantastic” news.

Mumsnet recently launched a Let Girls Be Girls campaign to let retailers know that parents do not want their children offered products which “prematurely sexualise” them.

Brands which have signed up include Asda, Boden clothing and Start-rite shoes. “We hope Primark will join the list,” she said.

Primark is the latest chain to face criticism for selling products deemed too adult for young children.

Asda was criticised for selling lace lingerie, including a push-up bra, aimed at young girls, and Tesco withdrew a pole-dancing kit from its toys section.

WHSmith announced last year that it was withdrawing Playboy stationery after criticism over the brand being sold to schoolchildren.