The supermarket giant’s social media account gave the post the thumbs-up despite its controversial content. The original tweet said: “I do not understand how people can actually claim to be ‘proud’ to be from Britain. What is their to be proud of?” Tesco’s response was met with a furious backlash.
Former Brexit Party MEP Rupert Lowed was quick to vent his anger on Twitter.
He said: “What is Tesco doing ‘liking’ tweets like this?
“It’s just ridiculous. Getting preached to by supermarkets now! What next?!
“If they don’t think we should be proud of Britain, then there are plenty of people who will find somewhere else to shop.”
It was not the first time Tesco found itself in hot water over a social media post this week.
Britain’s biggest supermarket chain was at the centre of a coronavirus lockdown storm when it wrongly told a woman she could not by sanitary items because the had been deemed non-essential by the Welsh government.
As Wales entered 17 days of “firebreak” restrictions, Labour First Minister Mark Drakeford said supermarkets had “discretion” over the ban on selling non-essential items.
But on Monday Welsh customers seeking period products said they found the pharmaceuticals area of their local Tesco blocked off.
READ MORE: Wales lockdown: Fury as trolley police return to snoop on shoppers
One furious shopper tweeted: “I’m literally raging and in tears Tesco how the hell is beer essential and PERIOD PRODUCTS are non-essential… this is RIDICULOUS.”
When another customer sent a tweet Tesco about the issue, it responded: “We understand how frustrating these changes will be for our Welsh customers.
“However, we have been told by the Welsh Government not to sell these items for the duration of the firebreak lockdown.”
The company apologised and said the issue was localised to one store and being urgently rectified.
A spokesman said: “Of course sanitary products are essential items and are available to customers in all of our stores including those in Wales.
“The reply to this customer was sent by mistake and we’re very sorry for any confusion caused.”
Express.co.uk has contacted Tesco for a comment.
