The fashion group, whose portfolio of brands includes Boohoo, PrettyLittleThing and Nasty Gal, announced plans to enforce a wool ban last month, but changed its mind hours later saying it will continue to use “wool as a sustainable material”.The original promise had committed the retailer to no longer using wool across all its brands by Autumn Winter 2019/2020.

“It’s time Boohoo group proved that it’s a real leader in global retail by standing by its compassionate initial decision to ban wool,” Peta director of corporate projects Yvonne Taylor said.“As a shareholder, Peta US will be able to push the retailer’s management to do the responsible thing for shareholders and animals alike by showing that no jumper or scarf is worth kicking, punching, and killing gentle sheep on the shearing floor.”Media reports have suggested the wool ban was a publicity stunt as analysis by The Daily Telegraph showed the retailer’s website didn’t sell any items containing wool anyway.As a shareholder, Peta will speak to other shareholders and executives at the annual general meeting later this year.The animal rights organisation said wool is one of the most environmentally damaging materials and a series of investigations have revealed systemic abuse of sheep by shearers on four continents. Peta’s exposés have also uncovered a history of animal abuse in farms across England and Scotland, where shearers were found punching sheep in the face, stamping and standing on their heads and necks, and beating them with electric clippers.