Diageo, the owner of Guinness, have cancelled it's sponsorship of London Irish after the Premiership club signed ex-Ulster player Paddy Jackson.
Jackson and fellow Ireland international Stuart Olding were both acquitted of rape following a high-profile trial in Belfast in March 2018. Both players had their professional contracts cancelled after their acquittal.
In a statement, Diageo confirmed they had ended an association that has stretched back to 1992: "We have met with the club to express our concerns. Their recent decision is not consistent with our values and so we have ended our sponsorship."
The club had boasted that it was their 'longest-standing sponsor' on their website.
It comes after re-sale outlet Cash Converters also announced they were terminating their sponsorship deal with the club.
As a company, we are committed to the highest possible standards when it comes to our investments in any sponsorships and collaborations. As a result of a detailed and thorough review of our support for London Irish, we have decided to discontinue our association with the club.
The statement was published on Twitter in response to a tweet citing the messages that came to light during the trial that Jackon exchanged with two other defendants. However, in a statement, London Irish argued that the decision was made before the signing was announced.
As well as Paddy Jackson, the recently promoted side have made a series of signings recently including Ireland’s Sean O’Brien, Australian duo Nick Phipps and Sekope Kepu and New Zealander Waisake Naholo.
