An investigation into the Home Office “Go Home” ad vans campaign has been launched by the advertising watchdog.
The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) said it launched the investigation after receiving 60 complaints expressed concerns that the ads were “reminiscent of slogans used by racist groups to attack immigrants in the past”.
In addition, the regulator said some complainants have challenged whether a claim in the advert reading “106 arrests last week in your area” was misleading.
An ASA spokesman said: “I can confirm that the Advertising Standards Authorityhas launched a formal investigation into the Home Office ‘Go Home’ ad campaignfollowing 60 complaints.
“Complainants have expressed concerns that the ad, in particular the phrase ‘Go Home’, is offensive and irresponsible because it is reminiscent of slogans used by racist groups to attack immigrants in the past and could incite or exacerbate racial hatred and tensions in multicultural communities.
“Separately, some complainants have challenged whether the claim ‘106 arrests last week in your area’ is misleading.
“They’ve also challenged whether it is misleading because it implies arrest is the automatic consequence of remaining in the UK without permission. We will publish our findings in due course.”
Last month, ads displayed on billboards carried by vans in six London boroughs told overstaying migrants “Go home, or you’ll be picked up and deported”.
The campaign may be extended nationwide. Migrant groups, Labour politicians and unions reacted to the campaign with anger and disgust.