Dyson's decision in Singapore provokes negative public reactions in Britain and Europe

SINGAPORE – The British technology company Dyson has been hard hit by the decision of its headquarters to settle in Singapore. Many Britons have called the founder of his billionaire James Dyson a hypocrite.

Mr Dyson was one of the business leaders who supported the campaign for Britain's exit from the EU, saying the country would benefit from being outside the bloc.

Although he said that the decision announced on Tuesday 22 January was not about Brexit, a number of politicians and ordinary citizens have criticized him for "betraying the public".

Many noted that this decision comes after Singapore signed a free trade agreement with the EU, while trade relations between the UK after Brexit and the EU remain unclear .

Mr. Sam Gyimah, Conservative MP, criticized Twitter severely.

"Dyson's decision to transfer its head office to Singapore reflects its narrow commercial interest – it's not just a transfer of two people – when the head office moves, the same goes for the intellectual property, a betrayal of the public that trusts him as a British defender of business, a Brexit No Deal, "he wrote.

Labor legislator Wes Streeting accused Mr. Dyson of "rank hypocrisy" on Twitter, alleging that he had "no sense of responsibility towards his workers or his country".

Jason Beattie, campaign manager for the Daily Mirror, said: "The Dyson Group paid £ 155m in UK taxes in 2017 and £ 388m in 2016. Funds to finance schools, schools hospitals and universities now going to the Singapore Treasury ".

Mr. Tom Kibasi, director of the Institute for Public Policy Research, wrote on Twitter: "The absence of James Dyson's social obligation is a complete shame, his business has been successful through this country. A total lack of gratitude towards the workers, the taxpayers, the innovators and the creators.

A large number of users have urged the British to boycott Dyson products as a result of this decision.

"Does anyone else have the impression of being a victim of aggression or is it just me? There was #Dyson claiming that #Brexit would be awesome, we now know that he mumbles about "protecting the future of his business", and separates Hopefully British consumers have long memories, Mr. Dyson, wrote @riceytravels.

Others have called Mr. Dyson to return his knighthood or cancel it.

Jennifer Cbadidy, a lecturer in politics at Oxford University, tweeted, "The rich like James Dyson belong to a Britain that, for the most part, simply does not exist. They talk about freedom, sovereignty, borders, but for many, freedom is about having food on the table, a roof over your head, and the safety of your family. they will never know. "

Despite the majority of votes on social media attacking the decision to relocate, the company has enjoyed some support.

"Dyson has not" deserted "Britain … two senior executives are settling in Singapore and this has no impact on UK production nor on research and development in the UK This is a pretty desperate case on the part of Rest.If anything, it is that the UK has to become more competitive! "Wrote the Twitter user @darrengrimes_ .