Investigation launched over fat-shaming cards distributed on London tubes

An investigation has been launched into the distribution of abusive cards, said to be from a group called Overweight Haters Ltd which target people they feel are overweight.

The British Transport Police have launched an investigation after a number of people have been given the cards or reported seeing passengers being handed the cards.

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Twitter user Kara Florish posted a picture of a card, which she said she had been given on the London underground, describing it as “hateful and cowardly and could potentially upset people struggling with confidence and eating disorders”.

The card read: “Our organisation hates and resents fat people. We object to the enormous amount of food resources you consume while half the world starves. We disapprove of your wasting NHS money to treat your selfish greed.”

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The card also said that the organisation “do not understand why you fail to grasp that by eating less you will be better off, slimmer, (and) happy” .

Florish tweeted in response: “Dear all – I was handed this card this morning on the underground and I would appreciate if people tweeted, posted etc all over the internet. I am not upset myself. I am smaller than the national average and not exactly obese, but this is hateful and cowardly… Plus – to the person who wrote this card, go back to school, you can’t spell beautiful.”

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A spokesman for British Transport Police said: “We are aware of the leaflets being handed out on London Underground and would urge anyone who has received one to contact us on 0800 40 50 40 or text 61016 with details.”