Britney Spears 'Criminal' Video Condemned in London Following Riots
Britney Spears' video for her new single, "Criminal" has drawn irate responses from Hackney Council, London for "promoting gun violence" in a city that was recently crippled by riots.
"In this case we did not agree that a replica gun could be used at Stoke Newington Town Hall and we are disappointed...We will be raising the matter with the production company," the Hackney Council told "London Tonight."
The music video features Spears and her boyfriend Jason Trawick robbing a local store and holding the workers at gunpoint as they wear ski masks and carry a duffle bag.
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Many view the video in bad taste due to the recent London riots and looting, especially the Hackney Council who say the Stoke Newington Borough was one of the hardest hit areas.
The council is demanding an apology from Spears: "I think she should apologize and make a sizable donation to a Hackney charity that deals with young people for the rudeness and damage she's done to the community," said Hackney Council Councillor, Ian Rathborne.
The council plans to also voice their anger to the production company stating, "We did not agree that a replica gun could be used at Stoke Newington Town Hall and we are disappointed.”
Hackney MP Diane Abbott was asked if she thought the council was overreacting and had this to say, "It is only a music video but it's images like this, with pop-stars glamorizing gangs, which means that some young people...get drawn in. Britney should really know better."
Spears was in London in promotion of her new album appropriately titled Femme Fatale and will be kicking off her first leg of a UK tour.
