Waitrose Magazine Editor Resigns After Joking About “Killing Vegans”
UK supermarket chain Waitrose recently celebrated an 85% sales increase for vegan and vegetarian products by launching its “biggest ever range of meat-free foods.”
However, it seems not everyone on the Waitrose team is enthusiastic about the “rising demand for vegetarian food and the fast growing number adopting a flexitarian diet.”
Journalist and travel/food writer Selene Nelson recently pitched Waitrose Food editor, William Sitwell, a pitch regarding a vegan food series for the magazine:
Sitwell’s response, which “shocked” Nelson, can be viewed below:
Nelson responded to Sitwell’s e-mail asking why “just the mention of veganism seems to make some people so hostile.” While she never received a response to her question, the e-mail exchange was sent to and published by Buzzfeed and it was announced on October 31 that Waitrose had accepted Sitwell’s resignation:
“We have today been informed by John Brown Media, who produce the Waitrose & Partners Food Magazine, that William Sitwell is stepping down as Editor of Waitrose & Partners Food magazine with immediate effect. In the light of William’s recent email remarks, we have told John Brown Media that we believe this is the right and proper move - we will be working with them to appoint a new editor for the magazine. We have had a relationship with William for almost 20 years and are grateful for his contribution to our business over that time.”
Sitwell posted the news on his Instagram page, along with an apology:
“Today I just want to make two points. Firstly, to reiterate my apology to any food- and life-loving vegan who was genuinely offended by remarks written by me as an ill-judged joke in a private email and now widely reported.”
He added:
“Second, a word about my team on Waitrose & Partners Food. For two amazing decades I’ve worked with simply the best crew in the business. There is no more talented art director than Kerry Wakefield, my lovely deputy Jess, PA Morgan, Dr Lucy heading food, Ashleigh on features, Kat and the fab art and subbing team. Thank you - we never stopped laughing (til now!). This issue from Jan 2017 - with a striking image taken by the gifted Jonathan Gregson - is one I’m particularly proud of. We even refused advertising from those proffering meat-based products.”
Nelson wrote about the situation for the Independent, and pointed out:
“The email was sent in a professional capacity, to the email address Sitwell publicises on his website – not, as claimed, a “private email”.”
While there was a lot of outrage regarding Sitwell’s initial comments, there are many people who believe his response was “not a sackable offence.” Nelson added:
“Those who defend Sitwell say it was “just a joke.” That of course he was being facetious. But that’s not the point. This isn’t about Sitwell or why he resigned, it’s about why it’s accepted or considered funny to speak to vegans with hostility and anger.”
You can read her entire article here.
Photo Credit: www.bbc.com
