Iconic British clothing designer Fred Perry has announced that it will no longer be selling one of its best-loved shirts in North America and Canada due to growing affiliations with far right group the Proud Boys.
The brand has issued a detailed statement on its website, in which it made clear that it is not in any way affiliated with the neo-fascist organisation.
The statement reads: "Fred Perry does not support and is in no way affiliated with the Proud Boys.
"It is incredibly frustrating that this group has appropriated our Black/Yellow/Yellow twin tipped shirt and subverted our Laurel Wreath to their own ends.
"The Fred Perry shirt is a piece of British subcultural uniform, adopted by various groups of people who recognise their own values in what it stands for.
"We are proud of its lineage and what the Laurel Wreath has represented for over 65 years: inclusivity, diversity and independence.
"The Black/Yellow/Yellow twin tipped shirt has been an important part of that uniform since its introduction in the late 70s, and has been adopted generation after generation by various subcultures, without prejudice.
"Despite its lineage, we have seen that the Black/Yellow/Yellow twin tipped shirt is taking on a new and very different meaning in North America as a result of its association with the Proud Boys.
"That association is something we must do our best to end. We therefore made the decision to stop selling the Black/Yellow/Yellow twin tipped shirt in the US from September 2019, and we will not sell it there or in Canada again until we’re satisfied that its association with the Proud Boys has ended."
The statement continued: "To be absolutely clear, if you see any Proud Boys materials or products featuring our Laurel Wreath or any Black/Yellow/Yellow related items, they have absolutely nothing to do with us, and we are working with our lawyers to pursue any unlawful use of our brand.
In 2017, John Flynn, the brand's Chairman, said: "Fred was the son of a working class socialist MP who became a world tennis champion at a time when tennis was an elitist sport.
"He started a business with a Jewish businessman from Eastern Europe. It’s a shame we even have to answer questions like this. No, we don’t support the ideals or the group that you speak of. It is counter to our beliefs and the people we work with."
