Fur flies in Michelle Obama row

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An anti-fur animal rights group is using an image of Michelle Obama without consent, says the White House.

The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (Peta) poster also features chat-show hosts Oprah Winfrey and Tyra Banks and singer Carrie Underwood.

"We did not consent to it," said Semonti Stephens, a spokesman for Mrs Obama.

He was unaware whether the president's wife had seen the poster, but confirmed she did not wear fur.

'Pretty fabulous'

A White House official said Peta had been contacted about the campaign.

In the poster, Peta uses the slogan "Fur-Free and Fabulous!" above a montage of photographs of the four women.

The organisation says the poster has so far only been put up at two metro and railway stations in Washington.

Peta president Ingrid Newkirk said in a statement Mrs Obama had made it known she did not wear fur, and in Peta's eyes "that makes her pretty fabulous".

The White House has asked for the president's image to be removed

Mrs Obama is not alone in having her photograph used without permission - the White House is also taking issue with an image of the president being used by an outdoor clothing company.

A recent news shot of President Obama in front of the Great Wall in China has been used on a huge billboard in New York's Times Square by the Weatherproof company.

The White House says it is asking for its removal because it gives the impression the president is endorsing the company.