- Walker Smith, a 54-year-old Waitrose employee, was sacked after 17 years for confronting a shoplifter attempting to steal Easter eggs from the Clapham Junction branch.
- Mr Smith, who said he intervened due to frequent thefts he was not permitted to address, expressed regret for his actions but felt compelled to act.
- Lord Richard Walker, executive chairman of Iceland, publicly offered Mr Smith a new job, while shadow home secretary Chris Philp called Waitrose's decision ”disgraceful” and urged his reinstatement with a bonus.
- Mr Philp wrote to Waitrose's managing director, arguing that dismissing staff for intervening sends the wrong message and encourages unchecked shoplifting, amidst a 5 per cent rise in offences.
- Waitrose said that media reports do not cover the “full facts” of the situation, reiterating that staff and customer safety underpins its policies discouraging direct intervention, and confirmed the correct process was followed.
IN FULL
Waitrose employee fired after confronting shoplifter offered job at rival supermarket
