Royal Mail sets lawyers on watchdog

A FIRST class row over the second class post has broken out between Royal Mail and the consumer watchdog Postwatch.

Royal Mail has called in lawyers to demand Postwatch withdraw advice that people send Christmas cards by second class post.

But the tiny Postwatch is standing by its advice. It is believed to be the first time that Royal Mail has started to take legal action against the watchdog.

Postwatch said: 'The Royal Mail is a huge monopoly. We are not going to be bullied by legal letters. We stand by our advice that people should send Christmas cards early.

'Post early and post second class. If they think that by putting their lawyers on to us we are going to change our advice they are wrong, We will not be bullied.'

Royal Mail believes the advice could cost them £60m. It said: 'First class mail gets priority. It is sorted and delivered more quickly than second class.'