Orange Order lambasts bottled water company’s decision to pull ad

Volvic’s advertising board campaign will only appear in England and Wales over worries it might offend Catholics and give the impression the company is associated with the Orange Order.

Critics have ridiculed the decision.

A Grand Lodge of Ireland Orange Order spokesman said: “The institution would challenge Danone to publicly explain the rationale of their advertising disparity within the UK, particularly given the fact Orange lodges also exist in England. Such a position is ridiculous and inconsistent.”

The posters depict a model with ginger hair holding a bottle of Volvic water. While the posters will only appear south of the border, the product will be sold in shops everywhere.

The company which owns the brand, Danone, said in a statement: “We are aware of the sensitivities, which is why these posters will not appear in Ireland, Northern Ireland or Scotland. This campaign was designed as a fun and positive brand statement for Volvic as part of our marketing campaign.”

Nelson McCausland, a Democratic Unionist politician at Stormont, said: “It is a wrong decision and a silly decision.

“Are supermarkets in South Armagh going to stop stocking oranges?”