LOCALS in Lockerbie have criticised a Pan Am Christmas jumper sold by Next which many have said is “offensive” to victims killed in the 1988 bombing.
A petition has been signed by more than 1000 people in one day calling for the festive jumper with the airline’s logo to be removed from the retailer’s website.
Pan Am’s Flight 103 was destroyed over the Scottish town of Lockerbie on December 21 1988 when a bomb was planted on the plane.
In total 270 people were killed, including 243 passengers, 16 crew members and 11 people on the ground.
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The petition describes the garment as “offensive and disrespectful,” “disgusting” and “absolutely shocking”.
It was started by Phil Geddes and is available to view HERE.
It reads: “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 their personal experience that I raise my voice against a product currently being sold by Next."
It adds that the design is “offensive and disrespectful” to those affected by this tragic event.
A number of those who have signed the petition have expressed their anger with the item with one saying: “Offensive and utterly no need for this type of advertising.”
Another added: “This is truly disgusting and disrespectful” while another asked, “who thought this was a good idea?”
Speaking to the Daily Record, Geddes, 39, said: “I was only five at the time, but the Lockerbie disaster is my earliest memory.
“I remember the noise of the plane, my brother hiding under the bed, and us running outside and seeing a fireball in the sky.
“There are people in my town who found bodies, and I know people who are still terrified of flying because of it. My part isn’t important – they’re the real victims.”
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He added that he was “surprised” by the response to the petition as he thought he may have been “overreacting”.
“While people mostly agreed with me, I did have a few people saying ‘it was 35 years ago, it’s time to get over it’.”
Next has confirmed the item has been removed from the market in response to customer feedback and that it is no longer possible to buy it online.
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