McDonald's condemns Birmingham restaurant mice protests

The first incident took place on Monday evening at the Star City site

McDonald's has condemned what it called disinformation over the Israel-Gaza war after boxes of live mice were released in three of its restaurants in apparent protests.

A video on social media showed customers at Birmingham's Star City restaurant jumping in shock as mice dyed in the colours of the Palestinian flag scurried near their feet on Monday.

A second clip showed mice in a box in the Perry Barr branch.

West Midlands Police has launched an investigation into the first case.

The fast food giant said both stores were temporarily closed for a full clean and visits from pest control officers.

Police said they were treating the first incident, an apparent protest against the Israel-Gaza war, as a public nuisance offence.

Three boxes of live mice were dyed the red, green and black

A video of a reported third incident of the same nature was also shared across social media on Wednesday.

In the clip, a group of masked people appear to enter the branch in Small Heath and empty a clear plastic box filled with live mice near the counter.

After Hamas gunmen launched an assault on Israel from the Gaza Strip on 7 October, a branch of the restaurant chain in Israel reportedly donated 100,000 of free meals including to soldiers and security forces.

The move sparked calls from Pro-Palestinian activists to boycott the brand, the Daily Express reported.

A spokesperson for McDonald's said the firm was "dismayed by the disinformation and inaccurate reports regarding our position in response to the conflict in the Middle East."

The chain added: "McDonald's Corporation is not funding or supporting any governments involved in this conflict, and any actions from our local developmental licensee business partners were made independently without McDonald's consent or approval.

The restaurant has confirmed it temporarily shut its branch in Perry Barr following an incident

"Our hearts are with all of the communities and families impacted by this crisis. We abhor violence of any kind and firmly stand against hate speech, and we will always proudly open our doors to everyone.

"We are doing everything we can to ensure the safety of our people in the region while supporting the communities where we operate."

West Midlands Police has been contacted for comment about the second and third incidents.