EXCLUSIVE: PETA, not Paul McCartney, called for McDonald's boycott over McCartney picture in restaurant

A statement from PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) calling for a boycott of the McDonald's hamburger chain after a Liverpool location posted a Paul McCartney picture along with two of the other Beatles in the restaurant, along with a comment falsely credited to a former McCartney spokesman, resulted in incorrect stories Wednesday that Paul McCartney himself had called for a boycott of the chain. Paul McCartney's press representatives confirmed for us in emails he did not issue any official statements calling for such a boycott.

A spokesman for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) was quoted by the UK Telegraph, NME.com and UK Sun as saying, "He became a vegetarian after watching lambs play in a field outside his home and surely would not want anyone to use his likeness to help promote meat. We hope anyone who sees his picture on the wall will be reminded that he's a vegetarian and skip the Big Mac for a veggie burger."

The stories also included quotes attributed to Geoff Baker, listed as McCartney's spokesperson, but who hasn't worked for Paul since 2004.

The quotes attributed from the UK Telegraph to Baker said, "What sort of morons do McDonald's think Beatles' fans are? It's ridiculous and insulting to use images to peddle hamburgers. Fans should boycott McDonald's, and not just in Liverpool."

According to an email Abbeyrd's Beatles Page received from Baker, he was contacted by Liverpool's Mercury Press Agency on Monday and asked for a quote. It was the press agency that falsely labeled him as press spokesman, a label, which, in turn, was picked up by other publications. McCartney's UK press representative confirmed his quotes were "not an official comment!"

Baker himself commented on being falsely attributed as McCartney's spokesman on his blog Wednesday:

Wednesday, 8 October 2008

COGITO ERGO NOT

Err....just for the record. There is a news story in The Sun newspaper today alleging that I am "Macca's spokesman".

Err...this is new to me and, I suspect, Paul and the excellent Stuart Bell, who actually is the spokesman that I am not.

Clearly, somebody has not been watching The Ex Factor.

Cogito ergo wrong.

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