Clean for the Queen campaign accused of using racist term

Posters and T-shirts promoting the tidy-up feature the word ‘spic’, which some people have pointed out is a racial slur

The Clean for the Queen campaign, intended to encourage people to tidy up for Elizabeth II’s 90th birthday, has been accused of dropping a racist clanger.

Posters and T-shirts to promote the drive (pdf), which is taking place this weekend, included the words “spic and span ma’am”, prompting people to suggest that by missing out a “k” on “spic”, the organisers had inadvertently used a racial slur.

Spic and span ma'am! We're helping @KeepBritainTidy and giving #Barnsleyisbrill a clean up! https://t.co/TxFMeDRzAMpic.twitter.com/bH9rrbgNn9

Hi, @cleanforqueen. Are you aware you've put a racist term on your asinine posters? You're missing a k. https://t.co/2YMV9A3PHf