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Waitrose magazine editor steps down over email mocking vegans Waitrose magazine editor quits after joke about killing vegans
(35 minutes later)
The editor of Waitrose magazine has left the publication after mocking vegans, suggesting a piece exposing their “hypocrisy” and joking they should be force-fed meat. The editor of Waitrose Food magazine has left the publication after mocking vegans, suggesting the publication of a piece exposing their “hypocrisy” and joking that they should be force-fed meat.
William Sitwell made the comments in a private email to a freelance journalist and immediately apologised but on Wednesday the upmarket supermarket said he would be stepping down with immediate effect.William Sitwell made the comments in a private email to a freelance journalist and immediately apologised but on Wednesday the upmarket supermarket said he would be stepping down with immediate effect.
Freelance vegan journalist Selene Nelson had pitched Sitwell a “plant-based meal series” looking at meat-free dishes. Selene Nelson, who is a vegan, had pitched Sitwell a “plant-based meal series” looking at meat-free dishes.
In comments first reported by BuzzFeed News, Sitwell then replied: “Hi Selene. Thanks for this. How about a series on killing vegans, one by one. Ways to trap them? How to interrogate them properly? Expose their hypocrisy? Force-feed them meat? Make them eat steak and drink red wine?”In comments first reported by BuzzFeed News, Sitwell then replied: “Hi Selene. Thanks for this. How about a series on killing vegans, one by one. Ways to trap them? How to interrogate them properly? Expose their hypocrisy? Force-feed them meat? Make them eat steak and drink red wine?”
In a follow-up email he added: “I like the idea of a column called The Honest Vegan; a millennial’s diary of earnest endeavour and bacon sandwiches...” In a follow-up email, he added: “I like the idea of a column called The Honest Vegan; a millennial’s diary of earnest endeavour and bacon sandwiches...”
Sitwell, who has also been a judge on Masterchef, swiftly apologised when the comments were first made public earlier this week but this was not enough to save his job. Sitwell, who has also been a judge on Masterchef, swiftly apologised when the comments were made public this week but this was not enough to save his job.
The decision was made in conjunction with John Brown Media, the independent production agency that makes Waitrose magazine, which is one of the UK’s highest-circulation publications. The decision was made in conjunction with John Brown Media, the independent production agency that makes Waitrose Food magazine, which is one of the UK’s highest-circulation publications.
“In the light of William’s recent email remarks, we’ve 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,” said a spokesperson for the supermarket. “We have had a relationship with William for almost 20 years and are grateful for his contribution to our business over that time.” The supermarket has this year made a big push into vegan food and this month announced a new range of vegan products for its stores, including vegan Christmas meals.
In addition to his work for Waitrose, Sitwell is a commentator on food issues, hosts food podcasts and edits cookbooks.
The heir presumptive to a baronetcy and a descendent of the writers Edith Sitwell, Osbert Sitwell and Sacheverell Sitwell, the Old Etonian also hosts supper clubs at his family’s 17th century manor house in Northamptonshire.
A Waitrose spokesman said: “In the light of William’s recent email remarks, we’ve 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.”
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