Apology Given Over Beckham Peta Story

Bosses at a British tabloid have made a public apology over an article which suggested animal rights activists at People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) had threatened to douse Victoria Beckham in fake blood.

The Daily Mirror reported that campaigners were set to target the former Spice Girls star to protest against her new handbag line, which features items made from the skin of exotic animals.
The article, printed last month (Oct10), suggested Beckham's aides were being forced to "bolster security" during a promotional trip to the U.K. to launch the accessories collection.

A spokesperson for Beckham defended the star over the story, declaring, "These skins sit strictly within the CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) regulations", while heads at PETA told WENN they were seeking legal counsel over the fabricated story.

Now representatives at the publication have moved to make amends - on Tuesday (23Nov10) they printed a piece entitled, "Apology to the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals", in which they pledged to pay PETA's legal fees.

The article states, "On 19 October 2010, we published a story in the print and online editions of the Daily Mirror and on our 3am website stating that People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals were planning a protest against Victoria Beckham's new range of bags which would include pouring fake blood over Mrs Beckham. There was never any truth in this story which we retract completely. We apologise to PETA for the harm that our story has caused them. We have agreed to make a donation to PETA and to pay their legal costs."
source: Contact Music

Victoria's Rep Hits Back at PETA

A representative for Victoria has defended the star after her new handbag collection came under fire from PETA.

The animal rights group is fuming over Beckham's latest collection, which features purses made from crocodile and lizard skin, as well as calf leather. But a spokeswoman for the star has brushed off the criticism, insisting the accessories adhere to strict guidelines in the production process.

The rep says, "Everyone is entitled to personal opinion and choice, but as with all Victoria Beckham products, the handbags are made to the highest quality and design. These skins sit strictly within the CITES regulations, and are monitored at every step of production. The skins are farmed in America under very tight guidelines."
source: Contact Music

PETA Problem?

PETA has denied that it's planning to attack Victoria Beckham, after rumours that it was angered by the star's new animal skin handbags.

The Daily Mirror reports this morning that the animal rights group planned to douse Beckham in "a bucket of animal blood - cow or lizard - at her next UK public appearance". However, PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals), told us that - while these rumours are unfounded - it had sent the singer-turned-designer a video to persuade her against using animal skins.

"We don't believe that Victoria has chosen to ignore the plight of these animals, we just worry that the information didn't make its way to her," a spokesperson from PETA tells us. "No one with an ounce of compassion could watch PETA's footage and still promote exotic skins as accessories. With all of the luxurious, cruelty-free alternatives at her disposal, there is simply no need or excuse for Victoria to include any skins in her collection."

source: Vogue UK

**Thanks to everyone who emailed and commented regarding this issue!!

Victoria Beckham Targeted by PETA Over Hermes

We all know that the PETA animal rights activist group is extremely concerned with animal cruelty and the mistreatement of animals - specifically for their fur and or skins. They are very influential and have targeted numerous celebrities for wearing clothing items and or carrying accessories made from animal products and the group's latest target is none other than Victoria Beckham for being a proud supporter of the exclusive Hermes design house.

Last week it emerged that Hermes farms crocodiles in Australia to meet the demand for the 3,000 exotic bags it makes from their skin each year and they are asking Victoria to publicly drop her support for the designer.

A PETA spokeswoman told the UK's DailyMail: "The mere thought of purposely breeding and killing crocodiles for an outdated, overpriced handbag should make any fashionista's skin crawl. We will send Victoria Beckham, a compassionate person who won't wear fur, our undercover footage that shows how alligators and crocodiles are beaten to death and how snakes are nailed to trees and skinned alive for these products. If Hermes really wants to be a leader in the fashion industry, it should stop killing animals for cold-blooded vanity and use cruelty-free mock croc and fake snake instead."

Animal Aid director Andrew Tyler branded Victoria and other celebrities 'pathetic' for owning the bags. "I am sickened by this degenerate display of self indulgence. Is there no depth to which Victoria Beckham and other stars will sink to in the name of fashion. The crocodiles will be intensively farmed. They will live and be killed in terrible conditions all so that some spoilt celebrities can flaunt their skins on their arms. I am genuinely puzzled why her lifestyle is celebrated by some."

Hermes CEO Patrick Thomas admitted last week that his French fashion house has resorted to farming crocodiles in Australia to keep up with the increasing international demand for their world famous crocodile skin handbags. "It can take three to four crocodiles to make one of our bags so we are now breeding our own crocodiles on our own farms, mainly in Australia." He added that Hermes produces 3,000 crocodile skin bags a year which are mainly crafted of skin from the animal's stomach region.

Victoria's spokesman refused to comment last night.

Pictured above is Victoria's exquisite Hermes Himalayan Birkin which is made of crocodile skin and encrusted with diamond hardware. This bag was a gift from David for Christmas and is only one of three in the world. The Himalayan Birkin is said to cost nearly $125,000!
source: DailyMail