Calls to boycott Heck sausages over Boris Johnson themed bangers

One of the UK’s biggest sausage manufacturers has sparked a social media storm over a photo opp with Boris Johnson.

With a string of sausages draped around his neck, Mr Johnson posed for pictures at Heck’s Yorkshire factory, holding two packs of ‘Boris Bangers’ made in his honour.

The pictures of the pro-Brexit Conservative Party leadership contender didn’t go down well with remainers who are now using the hashtag #BoycottHeck on Twitter.

People were quick to point out the sausage maker’s largely Eastern European workforce and questioned if it was at odds with Mr Johnson’s Brexit stance.

One angry Twitter user who vowed to ‘permanently’ remove Heck products from the shopping list said: ‘You can tell an awful lot about people by the company that they keep.

I hope that you think that this publicity was worth it.’

I no longer will buy any Heck products again now that I know your company support stripping British citizens of our #FreedomofMovement rights and that you support this devastating Tory #Brexit #BoycottHeck

— JK (@JKLDNMAD) July 8, 2019

Well, what a PR disaster for @HeckFood.
Firstly, complain about the damage Brexit will have on jobs. Then moan about the EU pulling funds for a visitor centre because of Brexit. And then invite Boris to wear your sausages.
Bizarre thinking. Just odd. #BoycottHeck pic.twitter.com/ixlMzGP7hu

— Peter Naldrett (@PeterNaldrett) July 8, 2019

Observer food critic Jay Rayner also pointed out an piece he wrote in 2017 in which Heck founder Debbie Keeble said Brexit would be ‘cataclysmic’.

She said: ‘No-one here will take these jobs. During the referendum, campaigners were going on about people coming over here taking our jobs.

‘Well, they’re not, because nobody here applies for them.’

But for some, the outrage from ‘snowflake remoaners’ has only strengthened their love for Heck’s burgers and sausages.

Others just thought it was a bit silly getting so worked up over sausages.

#BoycottHeck I love Heck Bangers. No snowflake remoaner is going to stop me buying them. In fact I’m off to Sainsbos now to get a couple of packs. Bangers n Mash for Tea. How very English.

— Happy from Stockton (@HairyTraveller1) July 8, 2019

Hilarious all the lentil-munching lefty vegans saying they'll never buy Heck sausages again!

— normal working bloke (@BlokeWorking) July 8, 2019

They could employ 85% Eastern Europeans after Brexit too. The whole point of Brexit is if we need labour we decide who comes over. I mean….????

— Ben Roberts (@hotplinth) July 8, 2019

#BoycottHeck What is the world coming to when everyone gets their knickers in a twist about Boris visiting a sausage factory. Are they boycotting every product he's ever been near? #theyaregoingtobehungry ????

— Claire Tait (@ClaireTait17) July 8, 2019

Eyebrows were raised after Heck issued a statement in response to drama in which they said 50 per cent of their workforce is from Eastern Europe.

The company said: ‘We invited both candidates for leadership to come and see us during the York [Conservative Party] hustings.

‘Indeed, we welcome anyone to look round our factory, whatever their views or political party.

‘We’ve always said that Brexit or no Brexit, we have to make our own success, new ranges, exporting and innovating. That’s to secure jobs.

‘We do not specifically endorse any candidate, we want to know how Brexit will affect our business and team.

‘We wanted to seize upon the chance to ask them what they are going to do to secure the long term future of our team.

‘You have to work with who is going to be in power, whatever your political view, dialogue is the only way forward.’

But not everyone was buying it, with one Twitter user calling it a ‘desperate ramble’.

Another said creating a line of sausages in Mr Johnson’s image was an ‘endorsement’ more than just ‘dialogue’.

"We do not specifically endorse any candidate" say the creators of the "Boris Banger."

Nice try. #BoycottHeck

— Elinor Elliot #FBPE (@ElliotElinor) July 8, 2019

During his visit Mr Johnson gave his support for a ‘Sausage of the North’ sculpture to be placed overlooking the A1 (M) in North Yorkshire.

Plans for a ‘Sausage World’ visitors centre in Kirklington, North Yorkshire, were shelved earlier this year after European Union funding was refused.

Heck was told it could get funding after securing planning permission but was later informed the grant money had already been spent on something else.