Call for care over use of Diana's name

Flora margarine deal means Diana's signature is on tubs

Former Prime Minister John Major has called for trustees of the Princess Diana Memorial Fund to show "care, consideration and sensitivity" as a row continues over putting her name on margarine tubs.

Mr Major, a legal guardian to Princes William and Harry, said any commercial deals or sponsorships to aid the fund must consider the affect they would have on those closest to the late Princess of Wales.

Mr Major spoke out after it was revealed that Flora margarine will carry the Princess' signature - the official logo of the memorial fund - in a special deal to raise £250,000 for charity.

The Flora deal has been attacked as tacky and going against the spirit of what the fund set out to do.

Major: guardian for the two princes

In a statement, Mr Major said: "I hope that every care, consideration and sensitivity will be given to the impact of such decisions upon those closest to the Princess.

"The Princess's reputation is very precious to her family and friends, and her memory deserves respect.

"It is proper that the proceeds of sponsorship and licensing benefit good causes, dear to the Princess' heart.

"Decisions on the granting of these should be taken in a way that preserves the dignity of the Royal Family and the affection and respect in which the Princess is held."

A spokesman for the Diana fund trustees, who sanctioned the Flora deal, said they completely agreed with Mr Major's call for sensitivity.

While Mr Major did not directly mention the Flora deal, his intervention will be seen as a strong warning to the trustees that they must keep the public on side.

'Thanks' promotion

Diana souvenirs in huge demand

Memorial Fund trustees approved the Flora 'Thanks' promotion which aims to raise the £250,000 from margarine sales.

It is part of the Flora London Marathon fund-raising plans which will see 600 runners raise an estimated £1.2 million for the Memorial Fund.

The tubs will carry Diana's signature alongside the word 'Thanks', used instead of the brand name.

The Trust's spokesman defended the deal saying it was a one-off move prompted by the fact that Diana's former butler Paul Burrell, one of the fund trustees, is running in the London marathon.

"The manufacturers approached us and said they would be prepared to give us all proceeds from the sales. It is a very large amount of money," said the spokesman.

Helen Park of Flora described the tubs as a "celebratory pack" to support next month's marathon.

"We will not benefit financially in any way," she said. "The thing is that people have got to like Flora to buy it - the pack is aimed at loyal buyers."