A Conservative MP has said that any profits Marks & Spencer generated in Russia would be “tainted” by the killings and war crimes committed during the conflict.
Alicia Kearns MP for Rutland and Melton backed calls for M&S stores in Russia to shut immediately, implying the retailer’s finances would be redirected in Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The retailer halted supplies to its Turkish franchisee’s business two weeks ago. Currently, the franchise has 48 shops that are still open and 1,200 employees operating under Marks & Spencer.
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However, other food companies such as McDonald’s which have franchisee branches in Russia have managed to close their stores.
On Thursday, Ukrainian MP Alyona Shkrum met PM Boris Johnson and singled out the retailer saying, “Marks & Spencer has not left Russia”. She added that all the money generated in Russia “goes just to the army”.
Kearns has urged all M&S shops in Russia to close, citing concerns over reports of the Russian force’s “sexual violence” against Ukrainian women.
“It is wrong that some British businesses continue to operate because all they are doing is buttressing Putin’s brutality and funding his war coffers,” Kearns told the Guardian.
The news comes as M&S has also been criticised for “not doing enough” for Ukraine civilians, with social media users demanding it close all its Russian branches and stop shipments.
An M&S spokesperson added: “We suspended deliveries to our franchise licensee’s Russian business two weeks ago and have no plans to reinstate them. We are actively discussing the future of the business with our franchise licensee.”
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