Top beauty brands accused of refusing MPs' call for hearing on microplastics

Companies should come clean on the harm plastic microbeads in their products is causing to marine life, says environment committee chair

The UK's biggest beauty brands have been accused by an influential MP of showing contempt for their customers by refusing to appear in parliament to answer questions on the impact that their products are having on the oceans.

MPs on the environmental audit committee will hear on Wednesday from the UK and European cosmetics trade bodies on the harm caused by plastic 'microbeads' in cosmetics, which are mistaken for food by marine life.