AWS takes heat from MPs over £390,000 marketing stunt - report

AWS paid to re-brand Westminster tube station as Webminster yesterday

AWS has attracted criticism from MPs who did not approve of its expensive gesture to rebrand Westminster tube as Webminster to coincide with an event, according to a report.

AWS launched a new skills programme yesterday with the Ministry of Defence, QA Consulting and the Prince's Trust, aiming to get ex-military personnel and youngsters from disadvantaged backgrounds into IT. The announcement formed part of its London in the Cloud campaign.

As part of the event, held at Millbank Tower in Westminster, AWS rebranded Westminster tube station as "Webminster".

Reuters reports that AWS spent £390,000 with Transport for London on the stunt, a figure which upset some MPs.

Labour MP Nick Smith told Reuters that AWS is "undermining" the word Westminster, adding that Amazon is "being a bit cheeky".

Margaret Hodge, who ran the Public Accounts Committee and investigated Amazon's tax affairs, told Reuters the move was "insulting" to parliament.

Many commuters took to Twitter yesterday to voice their confusion at the new name of the tube station.

AWS was not immediately available to comment.