A life insurance firm named Dead Happy has been criticised for using an image of GP serial killer Harold Shipman in a recent advertisement.
According to The Independent, the Leicester-based company promoted its services with the tagline: ‘Life Insurance. Because you never know who your doctor might be.’
Many viewers of the ad have branded it as ‘distasteful’ with other senior advisers across the UK reportedly calling for the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) and Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to ban the campaign.
This is NOT ok. Who approved this advertising?! pic.twitter.com/wPL1GG93zh
— Clare (@WillowsCrayon) January 23, 2023
Cura Financial Services founder Kathryn Knowles tweeted: “There is a firm that is promoting life insurance using the picture of a mass murderer to promote their services. I will name neither as I won’t give them the satisfaction of popping up in more search results. Please know that many of us in insurance find this beyond despicable.”
There is a firm that is promoting life insurance using the picture of a mass murderer to promote their services. I will name neither as I won’t give them the satisfaction of popping up in more search results.
Please know that many of us in insurance find this beyond despicable.
— Kathryn Knowles, PhD (@Kathryn_Cura) January 23, 2023
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A family member of one of Shipman’s victims also issued a statement online, writing: “As someone whose relative was murdered by Harold Shipman, your latest advert utilising his image is despicable and unacceptable. I hope you enjoy yet another judgement from the ASA and change your practices.”
An inquiry by the British government reportedly found that the former GP had killed at least 215 people, estimating that he may have killed as many as 260 between 1974 and 1998.
