# @pinknews on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/DNDZLa2sNBx
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/33168967-pinknews-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/8d58864c49.jpg
- **Posted:** 2025-08-07T12:00:35.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** PinkNews (@pinknews) — https://gondola.cc/pinknews

## Caption

Controversy over a ‘trans’ Marks & Spencer (M&S) employee offering assistance to two customers has given way to harmful misinformation – here are the facts so far.

Earlier this week, it was reported that British retailer M&S had apologised to a mother and her 14-year-old daughter after they complained that an employee, who they allege was trans, had offered to help them on the shop floor.

Writing for The Telegraph, journalists Daniel Martin and Neil Johnston claimed that the mother and daughter had entered the lingerie section of an M&S shop hoping to arrange a bra fitting, when the shop assistant approached them and ‘politely’ asked whether they needed assistance.

The mother alleged that the staff member was a “biological male” in a complaint to the retailer, arguing this was “obviously the case” because of their height.

She went on to say her daughter was “visibly upset” and felt “freaked out” after they left the shop.

The following day, a customer service spokesperson apologised on behalf of M&S in an email, writing: “We deeply regret the distress your daughter felt during her visit to our store. We understand how important this milestone is for her, and we are truly sorry that it did not go as you had hoped.

They also offered to ensure her daughter would “receive assistance from a female colleague.”

The story has since proliferated online with Harry Potter author and infamous ‘gender-critical’ pundit JK Rowling calling for a boycott of the retailer.

The original complaint even suggested that M&S should bring in a policy preventing trans employees from speaking to young girls entirely.

The known facts of the story have already been contorted – here are just a few examples of what we know.

Tap the link in our bio for more

#MarksAndSpencer #TransNews #LGBTQNews

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## Tags

marksandspencer, lgbtqnews, transnews

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