A Liberal Democrat MP has criticized EA for offering £20,000 worth of free petrol in a bid to promote the newly released open-world action game Mercenaries 2: World in Flames.

The stunt saw EA deck out a North London petrol station in military camouflage and park an army jeep on the forecourt, while assistants dressed as soldiers carrying replica machine guns offered customers £40 worth of free fuel.

The scheme, which started at around 6.30am on Friday, had to be pulled after causing traffic chaos, and drew strong criticism from a number of local residents and MPs, reports The Associated Press.
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"Trying to recreate Venezuelan-style fuel riots on the streets of London is completely irresponsible and downright dangerous,” said Lynne Featherstone, Liberal Democrat MP for Hornsey and Wood Green.

"Whilst a lucky few might have got some free petrol, hundreds of local residents have faced misery on their daily journeys this morning. They deserve an apology for being the victims of such an ill-thought out media stunt."