Amazon urged to remove 'blackface' fancy dress costume ahead of Halloween

The online retailer has faced criticism in the past for stocking outfits which caused offence

The costumes caused offence to some shoppers (Getty Images)

Online retail giant Amazon has come under fire for displaying “racist” costumes online, featuring "blacked-up" models.

The "Zulu” fancy dress costumes were stocked by a number of different sellers, causing offence to some people browsing the site.

Amazon has already sparked controversy this Halloween for stocking a "sexy burqa" costume and has previously sold a widely derided "golly" costume. The outfits were later withdrawn.

A Twitter user, who called himself Dr James Masonry, sent a message to Amazon on 26 November, along with pictures of the costumes.

“Hey there Amazon,” he said. “I was just wondering whether you thought any of this was really appropriate? Because I do not.”

Amazon did not publicly respond to his message, but his account did receive scores of abusive and racist messages.

However, other users were more supportive.

“The murder of black minors in America is justified culturally by ancient clichés of savagery typified by this,” wrote user Al King.

User UncannyVal said: “You'd think they'd have a clue by now. Haven't there been a number of these incidents on Amazon?”

Amazon is not the only retailer to have been criticised this Halloween. Disney was accused of promoting “full body brownface” for children after revealing its new 'Moana' Halloween costume.

It was intended for youngsters to dress up as Polynesian demi-God Maui and featured brown skin, traditional Polynesian tattoos, a grass skirt and a bone necklace.

Described as “cultural appropriation at its most offensive worst” by a Samoan website, the costume was later withdrawn.

On Thursday night, Amazon had removed two of the four costumes from sale.

A spokesperson for the company said: "All Marketplace sellers must follow our selling guidelines and those who don’t will be subject to action including potential removal of their account. The products in question are no longer available.”