Marks & Spencer confirmed that reusable shopping bags featuring the Union Flag were not intended for distribution in Northern Ireland. The bags reached the Sprucefield store at Lisburn due to a logistical error.

A company spokesperson explained that bags for Northern Ireland carry a design showing a local farm scene. The Lisburn store distributed a small number of Union Flag bags after running out of the local design.

The issue arose following a customer complaint at the Lisburn store. Marks & Spencer resolved the matter, and the store now provides the Northern Ireland-specific bags again.

The company uses different carrier bag designs across the UK and Republic of Ireland. A spokesperson noted the farmland design recognises food products sourced from Northern Ireland.

UUP MLA Doug Beattie questioned the bag design used in the Republic of Ireland. Marks & Spencer had not provided details on this at the time of the query.