LONDON (Reuters) - Car makers Ford, Vauxhall and Mitsubishi Motors, Britain's biggest high street lender Lloyds and billionaire Richard Branson's Virgin Holidays, have dropped advertising in the News of the World due to allegations of hacking by the newspaper.
Following are comments from advertisers, many responding to a barrage of messages on Twitter from consumers, politicians and celebrities calling for boycotts of News of the World and other UK titles belonging to Rupert Murdoch including The Sun and The Times.
Bourne Leisure (Butlins, Haven Holidays, Warner Leisure) - "We review all our sources of advertising regularly and we will not be advertising in NoW (News of the World)."
Coca-Cola - "We have no advertising currently running with the News of the World and none scheduled for the future. We are shocked by the new allegations that have been made."
The Co-operative Group - "The Co-operative Group has taken the decision to suspend temporarily any further advertising and promotional activity with the News of the World until the outcome of the investigation is known. The Group is a consumer-owned business which adheres to strong ethical standards. These allegations have been met with revulsion by the vast majority of members who have contacted us."
Dixons (Currys and PC World): "There are a number of factors that determine our media planning and we constantly review all the media we use. However, we do not comment on specific cases."
EasyJet - "EasyJet understands the concerns raised by the public, including many of our own staff and passengers, about these serious and shocking claims. We will actively monitor the situation and await the outcome of any investigation."
Ford - "We are awaiting an outcome from the News of the World investigation and expect a speedy and decisive response. Pending this response we will be using alternative media within and outside News International Group instead of placing Ford advertising in the News of the World."
Halifax (Lloyds Banking Group) - "In recognizing and responding to consumer reaction, Halifax has cancelledan advertisement in this Sunday's News of the World. This was a tactical decision in the short term whilst we carefully consider our longer term position and its implications."
Marks & Spencer - Company says it advertises in The Sun, The Times and Sunday Times but not News of the World: "It's something that we'll keep a close eye on to see how things develop. We're watching what's happening and following the developments. At this stage we do continue to advertise with them."
McDonald's - Says it has not advertised in the News of the World since 2010 and has no plans to do so. It will continue to advertise in The Sun.
Mitsubishi Motors Corp - "Mitsubishi Motors in the UK considers this type of activity- especially in such a distressing case- to be unbelievable, unspeakable and despicable. This is where we draw the line. It has therefore been necessary for us to pull all of our media advertising with the News of the World with immediate effect and have pledged to donate the saved funds to the charity, Childline."
Morrisons - "We won't be changing our advertising policy."
NPower - "We note the concerns which have arisen on the back of fresh allegations of phone hacking against the News of the World. We are currently reviewing our options."
Procter & Gamble - "We are very aware of the situation and share the growing concern amongst the public. We are monitoring it closely and will be reviewing our options. We will wait for the outcome of official investigations before commenting further."
Renault - "Renault acknowledges the concerns raised regarding the allegations of phone hacking by the News of the World. We can confirm that we have no media advertising planned with the News of the World."
Royal Bank of Scotland - The lender and owner of insurer Direct Line declines to comment
J Sainsbury - "We advertise in hundreds of newspapers, magazines, and TV and radio stations. The views and practices of any of organizations that carry our advertising do not represent those of Sainsbury's. That said, it would be prudent to await the outcome of the investigation."
SJM Concerts - SJM Concerts have suspended our advertising in News Of The World at this time pending the outcome of the investigation in to phone hacking allegations by News International.
T-Mobile UK - "We are currently reviewing our advertising position with News of the World, following the recent allegations, and await the outcome of the ongoing police investigation."
Tesco - "These latest allegations will cause huge distress to a family which has suffered enough. It's now a matter for the police; like everyone, we await the outcome of their investigation."
Thomas Cook - Says it has no advertising planned with News of the World at the moment.
TUI Travel - "Thomson and First Choice advertise from time to time with News of the World depending on what campaigns we have. We have no plans to advertise this week. Without wishing to prejudice any investigations in progress, we are reviewing the options, as is reasonable in such unusual circumstances.'
Vauxhall - "Vauxhall has suspended advertising in the News of the World. It will reconsider its position pending the outcome of investigations into the allegations of phone hacking."
Virgin Holidays - "We have reviewed what we had booked for this Sunday (adverts in the News of the World) and have decided not to go ahead with those bookings. We will review what we have booked for the future at a later date."
Vodafone - Says it is reviewing the situation.
William Hill - "We are currently reviewing our commercial arrangements in light of the current situation."
(Compiled by Paul Hoskins; reporting by Reuters bureaux in London, Chicago, Paris and Frankfurt; editing by Georgina Prodhan)
