M&S fined over false 'Italian' range claims

The company pleaded guilty at Birmingham magistrates' court to misleading the public after an investigation by trading standards inspectors found that many of the "Italian" items of clothing were manufactured in India and Egypt.

A complaint by a shopper triggered a visit in November 2003 by officials.

Sue Sadler, of M&S, said: "We used this 'I Italian' branding ... to create an Italian feel ... We apologise to our customers but reassure them there was never our intention to mislead them."