Stressed Victoria Beckham is ‘having the worst week’ and says criticism for furloughing staff is ‘unfair’
VICTORIA Beckham has been left "upset" after a backlash following news she furloughed staff at her fashion brand and will be using taxpayer money to pay their wages.
Sources close to the former Spice Girl, whose family is thought to be worth around £335million, revealed the designer has been having "the worst week" after coming under fire for the decision.
The insider told The Sun: "Victoria's telling friends that despite it being her birthday, it's been the 'worst week'.
"She's really upset and doesn't think it's fair she's getting slammed for something a lot of companies and businesses are doing. She thinks it's unfair and had no idea the backlash would be this bad."
Piers Morgan was among the voices to criticise the star, tweeting after she made an appearance on Together At Home: "Sorry, but this makes me puke. If you care this much about the NHS, @victoriabeckham - then why are you taking taxpayer money the NHS desperately needs - and you DON'T need - to furlough your staff & prop up your failing business."
Victoria's team had "no comment" when approached by The Sun Online.
It was revealed on the weekend that Posh Spice has chosen not to take her salary during the coronavirus crisis and has lost yet another senior executive after her chief marketing officer quit.
She will be using the government scheme, set up amid the coronavirus pandemic, that will see the taxpayer paying 80 per cent of employees' wages of up to £2,500 per month.
The Sun revealed Victoria's plans as her flagship store in Hong Kong faces closure and she focuses her attention on her fledgling beauty brand.
Victoria, who turned 46 on Friday, recently declared 20 per cent of all profits will go to food banks during the pandemic, despite her firm announcing over £12million losses last year.
Cuts have seen her ditch expensive plant pots in her West London HQ and lose her chauffeur.
Her chief marketing officer’s departure means seven members of staff have quit since January.
Last week, a spokeswoman for Victoria said: “We are working hard to ensure our much-valued VB team are protected by keeping our business healthy.
“Having carefully assessed all our options, we made the decision to furlough a proportion of staff on an enhanced package.”
CORONAVIRUS CRISIS - STAY IN THE KNOW
Don't miss the latest news and figures - and essential advice for you and your family.
To receive The Sun's Coronavirus newsletter in your inbox every tea time, .
To follow us on Facebook, simply .
Get Britain's best-selling newspaper delivered to your smartphone or tablet each day - .
MOST READ IN TV AND SHOWBIZ
Victoria Beckham Limited has not made a profit since it launched in 2008.
And despite being praised by experts, sales fell 16 per cent to £35million, according to accounts filed in November.
Victoria said at the time: “We’re on track to break even, but it’s not going to happen tomorrow.”