THE distributors of Buckfast have demanded the withdrawal of a Scottish executive-backed film that, they claim, demonises their product.

J Chandler & Co, which distributes the tonic wine on behalf of Buckfast Abbey in Devon, has threatened to seek a court interdict banning the screening of Asbo — Let’s Beat It, which is being shown to pupils at secondary schools in Ayrshire.

The film, endorsed by Cathy Jamieson, the justice minister, singles out Buckfast as a drink that contributes to antisocial behaviour. It depicts teenagers dealing drugs in playgrounds, vandalising cars, threatening homeowners, brawling and engaging in drunken, underage sex.

The order of Benedictine monks that has produced the drink since the 1880s is furious at the negative way in which it is being portrayed. This follows a concerted attack by Scottish executive ministers, who have claimed the drink contributes to a breakdown of social order in some areas.

Last year, Jamieson wrote to the head of the Scottish Co-op urging it to withdraw Buckfast from sale in its stores in her Ayrshire constituency.

She asked the firm to pull the wine from the shelves of its Auchinleck store, which led to J Chandler & Co, threatening to sue.

When Jamieson appeared in the former mining community to launch an executive drive aimed at fighting “Buckfast culture” she was surrounded by youths as young as 13 who jeered and chanted “Don’t ban Buckie”.

Months later it emerged year-on-year sales of Buckfast had risen following the Labour member’s intervention.

Last month, Andy Kerr, the health minister, said in an interview that Buckfast was “seriously bad”, caused antisocial behaviour and was “an irresponsible drink in its own right”.

J Chandler has instructed its lawyers to take action if its demand for the film to be withdrawn is not met.

“We want showings of this DVD in schools to stop immediately. This film should not be shown to any more impressionable youngsters,” said Jim Wilson, a spokesman for the company. “If legal action is the road we have to go down to achieve this then so be it.

“I find it totally offensive that our product is being linked with drug-taking, violent antisocial behaviour and children under the age of 18 getting drunk when we, as a responsible company, neither promote nor advertise the brand in Scotland.

“Here we have the justice minister endorsing a film which mentions our product by name and showing it to schoolchildren all over Ayrshire.

“To say it is irresponsible doesn’t even come close. Buckfast is the only product that is mentioned by name in the DVD. It is obvious that the justice minister has a problem with our product and we shall need to address that as a matter of urgency.”

The executive-backed DVD features third-year pupils from secondary schools across Ayrshire, aged between 13 and 15, acting out various forms of illegal behaviour.

In one scene a spiky-haired youth marches up to the counter of an off-licence and growls: “A bottle of your finest Buckie, hen.”

On being challenged for his ID the teenager becomes aggressive and spits: “I know where you live. See after work, you’re getting it”. In another scene a schoolgirl discusses a forthcoming party with her friends and states: “A bottle of Buckie will get me going”.

Launching the film in Ayr last month Jamieson said: “The DVD will be seen widely by pupils in schools throughout Ayrshire and I’m sure it will be well received and get the message across that antisocial behaviour is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.”

A spokesman for the justice department backed the film, adding: “Ministers support efforts to highlight the destructive impact that antisocial behaviour has within our communities, including the effect it has on young people.

“Communities have demanded action to tackle antisocial behaviour and education is an important part of responding to those calls.”

The film was a collaboration between antisocial behaviour services units in Ayrshire’s three local authorities and was produced at Paisley University.

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