Only in Britain

A MUM who rang Marks & Spencer to complain about her seven-year-old’s faulty birthday gift was told they would only speak to him — due to data protection laws. Debbie Lamb was informed that schoolboy Jacob must give HIS consent for her to speak for him about a Superman suit — which was missing a yellow belt. The baffled lad had to give his name, address, postcode and permission over the phone. Debbie, 33, said: “Jacob knew the house number but not the street or town. He went blank. “I had to whisper the address to him. Nobody had asked him for his postcode before.” Mum-of-three Debbie, from Lincoln, rang the M&S customer helpline after finding the outfit incomplete. She revealed: “They said that because of data protection laws they had to speak to the recipient of the present even if they were only four.” M&S apologised and sent a free Incredible Hulk costume. A spokesman said its helpline worker had incorrectly interpreted data protection laws. He said: “Unfortunately the assistant was unclear of the rules regarding minors. “We have reminded staff of the correct way to handle this situation.”