Mary Portas, the celebrity retail consultant and television personality, has launched a petition urging the Labour government to block fast fashion retailer Shein from listing on the London Stock Exchange.

The Chinese-founded company, known for its ultra-cheap clothing, is seeking a £50 billion valuation in an initial public offering (IPO) expected later this year. Shein confidentially filed papers with the Financial Conduct Authority last month, sources told Reuters.

Portas, who previously advised the coalition government on high street revitalisation, is spearheading the "Say No to Shein" campaign. The petition, nearing 35,000 signatures, calls for a thorough investigation into Shein's labour practices, environmental impact, and tax arrangements before any listing is permitted.

"Why would we as a country consider embracing a company like Shein onto the London Stock Exchange?" Portas said. "This is a company with allegations of unethical business practices, modern slavery, and violating labour laws. Surely we are better than this?"

The campaign, backed by former Green Party leader Caroline Lucas, follows a separate legal challenge by UK-based group Stop Uyghur Genocide to block Shein's IPO.

Shein has faced accusations of worker exploitation, environmental damage, and tax avoidance. The company denies these claims, stating it has "a zero-tolerance policy for forced labour" and is "committed to respecting human rights".

Labour previously signalled conditional support for Shein's listing, provided the company is regulated in the UK. However, opposition is mounting, with some senior lawmakers questioning Shein's suitability for a London debut.

The controversy comes as the new UK government seeks to bolster London's appeal as a financial hub post-Brexit, competing with rival destinations like New York for new listings.

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