Virgin Trains has told staff it will no longer sell Daily Mail on its West Coast service because of the newspaper's position on political and social issues.
In a memo sent internally to staff, the company said concerns raised about the Daily Mail's stance on issues such as immigration, LGBT rights and unemployment had contributed to the decision.
"There's been considerable concern raised by colleagues about the Mail's editorial position on issues such as immigration, LGBT rights and unemployment," the memo read, shared to SBS News.
"After due consideration, we've decided that this paper is not compatible with the VT brand and our beliefs.
Newspapers are seen displayed for sale in London, Tuesday, March 28, 2017. Source: AAP
"We won't be stocking The Daily Mail for sale or as a giveaway."
A spokesperson confirmed the move to SBS News and said: "We regularly review the products we have on sale for customers in the shop onboard our west coast trains and after listening to feedback from our people, we decided in November 2017 that we would no longer stock copies of the Daily Mail."
"When we stocked the Daily Mail onboard, we sold one copy for every four trains.”
The memo said the move won't suit all of the customers or their own staff - but Virgin Trains believed it was the right move.
A Daily Mail spokesperson slammed the move as "disgraceful" and said it was "censoring" the choice of newspapers to sell for "political reasons".
British politician and former United Kingdom Independent Party leader Nigel Farage said not selling the newspaper because a company didn't agree with its editorial position was "worrying".
"We are heading in a worrying direction. Banning things because you don't like them solves nothing," he tweeted.
SBS News has contacted both Daily Mail and Virgin Trains for comment.
Share
